In wake of a Dalit family being assaulted for allegedly skinning a dead cow in the Gir Somnath district, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the matter. The Chief Minister called for a designated court to be set in consultation with the High Court for speedy trial in the matter. She asked for a Special Public Prosecutor to take up the case, adding that the investigating officer has to submit the charge sheet to the court in 60 days. The Chief Minister said that the state government would bear all the medical expenses of the victims.
Earlier on July 11, few people were reportedly removing the skin from the carcass of a cow at Bediya village of Gir Somnath, when five persons came in a car and asked them why they were slaughtering the cow. The people replied that they were removing the skin from the cow’s carcass. Not satisfied with the explanation, the menimmediately started abusing and beating them with an iron pipe, lathis and aluminium strip. They also looted three mobile phones.
A case was registered at the Una Police Station on the same day under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Gujarat Police Act Section 135, Section 3 (2) (v)-Prevention of Atrocities Act against six persons. The district officials including the District Collector had visited the hospital and met the victims and are currently supervising all necessary action. As many as seven persons were undergoing treatment. Three were undergoing treatment in Junagadh Hospital and four in Una Civil Hospital. Three of the persons admitted to Una Civil Hospital have since been referred from Una to Rajkot Civil Hospital and one patient has been discharged. As of date, two persons are still undergoing treatment.
Parliamentary Secretary Jethabhai Solanki visited the victims earlier on July 12, while former Congress MLA from Somnath Assembly Jashabhai Barad visited the patients and met the family members earlier on July 13. The investigation, handled by Deputy Superintendent of Police (SC/ST cell), has seen eight arrests so far. In view of alleged mishandling, one Police Inspector and two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and one Head Constable were suspended earlier on July 14 and July 17 respectively for dereliction of duty. A compensation of Rs. one lakh was paid on the basis of registration of offence earlier on July 14.
