Jaipur, August 18: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday blamed the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state for acquittal of all accused in the Pehlu Khan lynching case. Gehlot said, “Pehlu Khan case (2017 Alwar lynching) was discussed, the negligence by the earlier government cannot be imagined.” He further added that due to this accused were given the benefit of doubt by the court and were acquitted. Pehlu Khan Lynching Case: After All Six Accused Acquitted, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Says ‘Committed to Ensuring Justice.

On Wednesday, an Alwar sessions court acquitted all six accused in the case. Pehlu Khan, a 55-year-old native of Haryana's Nuh, had left his village to purchase cattle on April 1, 2017. However, he was surrounded by a mob of cow vigilantes on the Delhi-Alwar highway on suspicion of cow smuggling and was beaten mercilessly. Khan succumbed to injuries two days later. Pehlu Khan Lynching Case: All 6 Accused Acquitted by Rajasthan Court.

Ashok Gehlot's Statement:

After the court’s judgment, Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Rajeeva Swarup said that state Congress government would appeal against the judgment of Alwar Court. Gehlot in a tweet had also ensured that the state government would provide justice to Khan’s family. Recently, the Rajasthan Assembly passed an anti-mob lynching bill allowing life term and a fine up to Rs five lakh to convicts involving victims death.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2019 05:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).