The victim man Vikas (Image: Organiser)
In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves across the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth named Vikas was brutally murdered. The accused in this heinous crime have been identified as Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, Rustam, and Noorjahan. Vikas’ lifeless body was discovered under a bridge near the village on Thursday, June 6, 2024. He had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his head, indicating a brutal end to his young life.
The sequence of events leading to Vikas’ untimely demise began just a day earlier, on June 5, when Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat allegedly harassed Vikas’ sister.
Upon intervening to protect his sibling, Vikas found himself at the receiving end of threats from the accused. In response to this distressing incident, Vikas’ family lodged a complaint with the police against Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, and Noorjahan. While Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat have been apprehended by the police, efforts are underway to locate Rustam, the remaining accused.
This tragic incident unfolded within the jurisdiction of the Antu police station in Pratapgarh district. Kamlesh Kumar, a member of the Dalit community and Vikas’ father, filed a police complaint on June 6, detailing the harassment faced by his daughter at the hands of the accused trio. According to the complaint, Vikas went missing on the same day under suspicious circumstances, prompting a frantic search effort by his family. The grim discovery of Vikas’ lifeless body under the bridge near the bypass further deepened the tragedy, leaving his loved ones devastated.
Accusing Ashfaq, Iqbal, Salamat, and Rustam of conspiring to murder his son, Vikas’ grief-stricken father demanded justice for his slain child. In response, the police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the case, aiming to bring the perpetrators to justice.
As per the FIR (number: 296/2024) all the accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (common intention), 354 (k) (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 506 (criminal intimidation), along with sections of the SC/ST Act. Ashfaq, Iqbal, and Salamat have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to locate Rustam.
Furthermore, a notable aspect of this case emerged when Afsana, the sister of accused Noorjahan, filed a First Information Report (FIR 290/2024) on June 5, accusing Vikas of attempting to harm her after she rebuffed his advances. This revelation has added a new dimension to the investigation, prompting authorities to consider Noorjahan’s possible involvement in the tragic events leading to Vikas’ demise. Subsequently, Noorjahan was arrested near the Setapur Mosque in the Antu area.
Organiser has a copy of both the FIRs.
Despite the arrests made, Rustam remains at large, prompting intensified efforts by the police to track down the fugitive. Villagers in Raniganj and Mandhata areas have been questioned in connection with his whereabouts, but he continues to evade capture. Meanwhile, Vikas’ family continues to grapple with the profound loss, with his disabled father, Kamlesh, expressing deep anguish over the brutal murder of his son.
Vikas, aged approximately 24 years, was pursuing a computer course in hopes of securing employment opportunities.
His uncle has identified Rustam as the mastermind behind the crime, alleging his involvement based on past criminal activities. Additionally, claims have surfaced suggesting support for the accused individuals from certain segments of the village’s Muslim community, further complicating the investigation into this tragic incident.
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