A team, comprising lawyers and human rights activists, visited the families of victims killed in separate incidents in Madhubani and Siwan districts
NEW DELHI — Expressing solidarity with families of the victims of the recent mob lynching cases in Bihar, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has called for swift justice and accountability.
The call came after an APCR team, comprising lawyers and human rights activists, visited the families of victims killed in separate incidents in Madhubani and Siwan districts. The visit was undertaken to assess the status of the investigations, offer legal support, and express solidarity with the bereaved families, a press release issued on Monday said.
The delegation first visited Pulparash in Madhubani district, where a mob brutally assaulted Roshan Khatoon on 25 February. According to the family, the mob included the village head. Roshan Khatoon, who was fasting at the time of the incident, was allegedly denied timely assistance and protection by the police. Her family stated that neither adequate steps were taken to prevent the assault nor was urgent medical care arranged following the attack. Roshan Khatoon later succumbed to her injuries. The delegation expressed concern that the only accused arrested in the case has since been granted bail by the lower court, raising serious questions regarding accountability and the administration of justice.
The APCR team also visited the family of Qayoom, a daily wage labourer from Jhanjharpur, Madhubani district, who was killed on 13 January. Qayoom was reportedly attacked and killed a short distance from his home while searching for work. Despite the gravity of the crime, the police have so far arrested only one accused. The delegation noted with concern that Qayoom’s widow and four young children have yet to receive any compensation, rehabilitation assistance, or meaningful support from the state authorities.
APCR has been providing legal assistance and support to the family in their pursuit of justice. The organisation also highlighted the urgent need for the state government to ensure that the family receives all compensation, rehabilitation measures, and statutory entitlements available to victims of such crimes.
In the Siwan district, the delegation met the family of Shahzad Ali, who was allegedly abducted and lynched by a group of villagers. According to allegations made by his family and the First Information Report lodged by his wife, Mobina Khatoon, Shahzad Ali was forcibly taken away, tied to a tree, and subjected to a brutal assault that ultimately resulted in his death. The family has alleged that the principal accused persons named in the case have not yet been arrested.
As part of the visit, the APCR delegation met officials at Badhariya Police Station and submitted a memorandum demanding a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation into the murder of Shahzad Ali. The memorandum also called for the immediate arrest of all accused persons and adequate protection for the victim’s family and witnesses.
APCR strongly condemns these incidents of mob violence and reiterates that the failure to ensure prompt investigations, arrests, victim compensation, and witness protection undermines public confidence in the rule of law. The organisation urges the Bihar government and law enforcement authorities to ensure justice for all three families, hold the perpetrators accountable, and provide immediate compensation and rehabilitation support to the dependents of the victims.
APCR remains committed to pursuing all available legal remedies to secure justice for the victims and their families and will continue to monitor the progress of these cases closely.
