Alwar Lynching Case Key Witnesses, Including Pehlu Khan’s Sons, Fired at on Way to Court

Alwar police, on the other hand, stated that the witnesses of the Pehlu Khan lynching case did not approach them, neither did the media.

Alwar: The key witnesses in Pehlu Khan lynching case were on Saturday fired upon while they were on their way to the court to depose the case. The incident happened near Behror.

The witnesses – Azmat and Rafiq – along with Pehlu Khan’s sons – Irshad and Arif – were accompanied by lawyer Asad Hayat in the car when a black Scorpio without a number plate overtook their vehicle at NH-8 in Alwar. Soon, shots were fired at them however, they managed to quickly drove their vehicle through the villages to reach the city.

A report by The Indian Express quoted Irshad as saying, their vehicle came nearer and the men started hurling abuses at us, telling us to stop at once.” Irshad added, “We don’t even know this route and are asking locals for directions. Who will depose if we are killed too?” Irshad requested the case be transferred to Alwar, stating that they don’t trust the Behror police. Alwar police, on the other hand, stated that the witnesses of the Pehlu Khan lynching case did not approach them, neither did the media.

Pehlu Khan was mercilessly attacked by the cow vigilantes on April 1, 2017, while he was on his way with his cows to the dairy farm in Rajasthan’s Alwar. Irshad, Arif, Azmat and Rafiq who accompanied Pehlu Khan were also attacked. Two days after the assault by ‘gau rakshaks’, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan succumbed to his injuries.