JOIN USBody of priest cremated after administration's assurances to family; BJP steps up attack on Gehlot govt
Tension prevailed in a Rajasthan village, about 300 km from here, as family of a murdered priest refused to cremate his mortal remains, demanding capital punishment for the accused and a government job to a family member.
The priest, Babulal Vaishnav, was burnt alive in Bukhna village in Karauli district on Thursday over a land dispute related to encroachment on temple land, an issue that soon acquired political overtones.
The tense stand-off was resolved after the Rajasthan government promised a thorough investigation in the case, after the intervention of Governor Kalraj Mishra.
The last rites of the priest were performed on Saturday evening, more than 24 hours after the sit-in protest by the family members and some Brahmin organisations.
“The Government has assured that Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia amount and Rs 1.5 lakh under PM Awas Yojana will be given to the priest's family. A job will also be given to a member of his family,” BJP Rajya Sabha member Kirori Lal Meena said.
Meena said the two police officials have been suspended in connection with the case.
Six persons had allegedly poured petrol on the temple priest and set him on fire when he tried to stop them from encroaching on the temple land. The priest was rushed to the local hospital from where he was shifted to the Jaipur hospital, where breathed his last on Thursday evening.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has attacked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the “rising graph of crimes in the state”.
“One thing is clear from the speed at which the crime graph is rising in Rajasthan. Women, children, elderly, Dalits, businessmen, nobody is safe here. The Congress government in the state should shun its deep slumber, ensure stringent punishment for the accused and deliver justice to the family of the victim,” Raje said.