The brutal murder of Pancharam Sarthi, 50, in Raigarh district sparks outrage and demands for action under mob lynching laws
Team Clarion
RAIGARH – In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, a 50-year-old Dalit man was brutally murdered in Dumrapalli village of Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district, on Sunday morning. The victim, Pancharam Sarthi, also known as Batu, was allegedly beaten to death by three individuals after being accused of attempting to steal rice from one of their homes.
The murder has drawn widespread condemnation, with local activists and community leaders calling it a case of mob lynching. The police have disputed the claim, stating that it does not meet the legal criteria for mob lynching under Section 103(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The law defines mob lynching as an act of violence committed by five or more individuals based on caste, religion, community, gender, or similar grounds.
According to police reports, the incident unfolded in the wee hours of Sunday when Virendra Sidar, one of the accused, woke up to the sound of noise outside his home. Upon investigation, Sidar claimed he saw Sarthi allegedly attempting to steal a sack of rice. Furious over the alleged theft, Sidar reportedly called his neighbours, Ajay Pradhan and Ashok Pradhan, for help. Together, the three men restrained Sarthi and tied him to a tree.
In a gruesome act of violence, the men beat Sarthi with wooden sticks, continuing the assault until he fell unconscious. According to a police official who spoke to The Hindu, “He [Sidar] and his neighbours tied Sarthi with a plastic rope and beat him with a wooden stick, resulting in his death.”
The police were alerted to the incident by the village sarpanch at around 6 am. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found Sarthi unconscious and bound to a tree. The victim was later pronounced dead due to the severity of his injuries.
The murder has sparked outrage, with several local activists describing the act as a classic case of mob lynching. Degree Prasad Chauhan, a well-known lawyer and social activist, condemned the act in a statement to The Indian Express. “Whether or not Sarthi was caught stealing rice is irrelevant. Can anyone take the law into his own hands? This is a clear case of lynching,” Chauhan asserted, calling for the strict application of mob lynching provisions.
Chauhan’s remarks underscore the growing concern over the rising number of such incidents, where individuals are killed by mobs for minor accusations, often driven by caste or community prejudice.
In Dumrapalli, this act of brutality has left the local Dalit community in shock and fear. “It was not just the beating that hurt him; it was the sheer humiliation of being treated as less than human,” said a local activist, who wished to remain anonymous. “This is a reminder of the deep-seated caste biases that still prevail in our society.”
While the local community and activists have pushed for mob lynching charges, the police have refused to apply this legal framework. Raigarh’s Superintendent of Police, Divyang Patel, stated that the incident did not fulfill the criteria for mob lynching. Patel confirmed that a murder case had been filed under Section 103(1) of the IPC, but clarified that the suspects were not part of a larger mob.
“We have arrested the three individuals involved in this heinous crime, and a murder investigation is underway,” Patel said in a statement. “However, the incident does not meet the definition of mob lynching as per the law.”
The three accused were arrested on charges of murder. The police are continuing to investigate whether anyone else may have been involved in the crime.
As news of Sarthi’s murder spreads, many are calling for justice. Local human rights groups have raised their voices, urging the authorities to take stronger action against mob violence and caste-based discrimination. “This is not just a case of theft. This is a clear example of caste discrimination that led to a brutal murder,” said an advocate for Dalit rights. “We need stronger laws and stricter enforcement to protect the vulnerable.”
The tragic death of Sarthi has also sparked a larger conversation about the prevalence of caste-based violence in India, especially in rural areas. Activists are calling on the government to strengthen the laws against caste-related violence and ensure that such atrocities are met with swift justice.
The murder has left the village of Dumrapalli deeply shaken. Dalit families in the area have expressed fear of being targeted in future incidents of caste-based violence. “We never thought something like this could happen here,” said a villager, who asked not to be named. “It’s terrifying to think that anyone can be killed on such flimsy grounds.”
In a nation where caste-based violence remains a significant issue, Sarthi’s death is another painful reminder of the urgent need for societal reform. His family and supporters are calling for justice, hoping that this incident will bring attention to the broader issue of caste-based violence in India.
As the investigation continues, the question remains whether the murder of Sarthi will be classified as mob lynching or remain a case of individual violence. What is clear, however, is that the brutality of the attack, the involvement of neighbours, and the historical context of caste-based discrimination all point to a larger, systemic problem that needs urgent attention. Local activists, legal experts, and community leaders are united in their demand for justice and for stronger laws to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The murder of Sarthi serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted caste divides that continue to plague Indian society, and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their caste or background, can live without fear of violence and discrimination.
