Family of Dalit man who committed suicide stages dharna

The family of a Dalit man, who allegedly committed suicide after his son was beaten to death in Rajasthan's Alwar district last month, refused to hand over his body for post-mortem and staged a dharna on Saturday demanding compensation and job for a member.

Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, who joined Ratiram Jatav's family members in the protest at a health centre in Tapukada area, demanded action against the police personnel for their alleged inaction in the investigation into the killing of the 60-year-old's son.

Jatav's 28-year-old son, Harish, had sustained serious head injuries after he was thrashed by a mob when his motorcycle hit a woman at Phalsa village in Tijara area on July 16. He passed away at a Delhi hospital two days later.

Alwar MP Mahant Balaknath met the family members of Jatav, who committed suicide on Thursday after consuming a poisonous substance.

"The Additional SP (superintendent of police) and circle officer should be removed from their present posting. The crime is increasing in Alwar, but the government is not serious," he told reporters.

Former BJP MLA Maman Singh said the post-mortem would be allowed to be conducted only after the demands of the family were met. He said markets in Tapukada would also remain closed as a mark of protest.

Jaipur inspector general S Sengathir said the post-mortem could not be conducted and the efforts were on to pacify the agitated family members.