Amid protests and a blame game between the outgoing Congress Government and the BJP, which has come to power in the State, a case was registered in connection with the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, the national president of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena on December 6.
The FIR was registered under sections 323, 341, 452, 307, 302, 34, 120-B, 427, 16, 18, 20, 3, 25(1-AA) and 27 of the IPC at Shyam Nagar police station, officers said, adding that the case was filed on a complaint by Sukhdev’s widow Sheela Shekhawat Gogamedi.
Outgoing Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the State DGP were among those named in the FIR filed in connection with the murder. In her complaint, Sheela Gogamedi alleged that the family sought security from CM Gehlot and the DGP but it was deliberately denied.
Punjab Police and the ATS were also named in the FIR. Due to the absence of personal security, some assailants killed the Karni Sena chief on the pretext of a meeting in the afternoon of December 5, the FIR stated.
Meawhile, BSP MLA Manoj Nyangali said a consensus was reached on the demands put forward by the Karni followers and members and a post-mortem on Gogamedi will be conducted on December 7.
Speaking to media on December 6, the BSP MLA said, “We had put forward 7-8 demands, including an investigation against the officials responsible for providing security to Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. We also held discussions with the Governor on handing the case to the NIA. All parties agreed that the postmortem of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi will hopefully be done tonight (December 7 night). We will talk to the committee (of Sena activists) and urge them to call off their protest.”
He informed further that the demands include security for the family and witnesses in the case and compensation to the kin. Earlier, the younger brother of Sukhdev Singh, Shravan Singh Gogamedi, said, “An FIR has been registered. We have put forward certain demands. If the administration agrees to them, we will request them to call off their protest.”
“Sukhdev kept pleading with the police for 5 years asking for protection but security wasn’t provided. Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was the face of ‘sarva samaaj’ and the ‘sarva samaaj’ will now stand in support of him,” he added.
Two cops suspended, probe underway
Two police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), were suspended following the brazen murder of the national president of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, in Jaipur. Jaipur Police Commissioner on December 6 suspended the SHO of Shyam Nagar police station and the beat constable.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on December 6, the widow of the Karni Sena chief, Sheela Shekhawat, said, “The SHO of Shyam Nagar police station and the beat constable have been suspended for negligence in connection with the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. We have been assured that the accused will be arrested within 72 hours.”
“Your sister will call you again, if required, and you will have to come out and support me. I request you all to come and pay your last respects (to Gogamedi) tomorrow,” she said, in a message to Karni Sena activists.
The mortal remains of the Karni Sena chief will be kept for public viewing at Rajput Sabha Bhawan in Jaipur at 7 am on December 7. His last rites will be performed at his native village, Gogamedi, around 2 pm.
The Central Armed Police Force has been deployed in Jaipur and other parts of Rajasthan to avert untoward incidents on the day of his funeral. A senior official said Central Armed Police Force and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed at certain sensitive locations in the city.
The official informed further that the protests that erupted in the wake of Gogamedi’s killing have been called off and the situation is under control as of now. “We are keeping a close watch on the situation and working in close coordination with the State police,” the official added.
The entire sequence of events leading up to the murder will be investigated by a retired judge of the high court, officials announced on December 6. Following this announcement, the ongoing protest in front of Metro Mass Hospital was pushed back.
Gogamedi’s widow accepted the agreement reached between the Police Commissioner and the Sangharsh Committee after which the protest was pushed back. Further, according to officials, the post-mortem on the Karni Sena chief will be conducted at SMS Hospital in Jaipur.
Karni Sena chief’s body brought to Rajput Sabha Bhawan
The mortal remains of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena president Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was brought to Rajput Sabha Bhawan in Rajasthan’s Jaipur on December 7 morning for people to pay their last respects.
Sukhdev’s supporters offered flowers and paid their tributes to Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi.
Following this, the mortal remains of Sukhdev Singh will be taken to Gogamedi village in Hanumangarh district via Shri Bhavani Niketan School campus in Jaipur, an organiser from the Rajput Sabha Bhawan said.
Sukhdev Singh’s last rites will be performed on December 7 afternoon at his native village, Gogamedi. “There is a program of offering flowers now. From Bhawan Niketan his body will be taken to Gogamedi and on the way there will be flower offerings at various localities and roads. He was a social leader of Rajasthan, not only for Rajputs but for all. So tributes will be paid to him wherever his body will be taken,” Ramsingh Chandlei, the president of Rajput Sabha Bhavan said on December 7.
Gogamedi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jaipur on December 5. The murder sparked outrage among the Rajput community, which announced a State-wide bandh on December 6. However, the shutdown was called off later.
Meanwhile, in a big breakthrough in the murder case, the Rajasthan Police identified two shooters who they said were involved in the killing. The two assailants were identified as Rohit Rathore Makrana and Nitin Fauji, the State police informed, adding that the latter is a resident of Mahendragarh in Haryana. The third assailant, Naveen Shekhawat, was killed at Gogamedi’s residence during the exchange of fire with the police. One of Gogamedi’s security guards was injured in the crossfire, police informed.
(with inputs from ANI)
