Rajasthan police on Thursday arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly killing a labourer and burning his body in Rajsamand district, 280 km from here.
The arrest took place after a horrific video of a man burning another man to death and then torching the remains while keeping up an inflammatory communal rant warning against "love jihad", went viral on social media.
According to the police, the half-burnt body found on Wednesday near a hotel on 100 Feet Road in Rajsamand is of 46-year-old Afrazul, a native of Malda in West Bengal, who worked as a daily wage labourer and lived with his family in Rajsamand.
State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed to DH, "The body recovered is the same as shown burning in the video. The killer has been identified as Shambhu Lal. A special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the case."
In one of two clips posted online which is hard to watch, Shambhu Lal, dressed in a red shirt and white trousers, is seen leading Afrazul to a spot. Shambu Lal suddenly attacks him repeatedly with a weapon and the victim shouts for help. Shambhu looks into the camera and declares on record that he killed to save a woman from "love jihad".
Man was on drugs
The accused's wife claims that Shambu Lal was under the influence of drugs. Sita Devi, wife of the accused told DH: "My husband was into drugs. He literally used to do nothing and was mentally disturbed. I can't understand if the incident has something to do with Love Jihad. But my husband was affected after a Hindu girl from our village married a Muslim boy from West Bengal one year ago."
The video was shot by Shambu Lal's 15-year-old nephew. Rajsamand police have detained his daughter and nephew. District SP Manoj Kumar said, "Both the minors have been detained. When the incident took place they were accompanying the accused. Shambulal has been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence)".
Activists demand probe
Social activists demand the arrest of those who, as per them, instigated him to commit this heinous crime. "Although the police have arrested Shambhu Lal Regar and the nephew, who had shot the video, it is important to reach the people who motivated him to carry out this murder," PUCL general secretary Kavita Srivastava told DH.
Internet has been suspended in Rajsamand to stop the circulation of the two video clips posted on WhatsApp. Opposition Congress leader Sachin Pilot said the murder on video proves that there is poor governance in Rajasthan.
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