MP: BJP Leader Booked for Killing a 65-Year-Old After Mistaking him for a Muslim
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh police on Friday booked ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch, Dinesh Kushwaha, accusing him of murdering a 65-year-old mentally challenged Bhawarlal Jain who he assaulted him, mistaking as Mohammad.
Mistaking him as Muslim, BJP leader Dinesh Kushwaha assaulted Bhawarlal Jain (65), mentally challenged, in Manasa locality of MP's Neemuch on May 17-18.
Jain succumbed to assault and his body found on May 19.
Police booked Kushwaha under section 302/304 of IPC in Manasa PS.
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Dinesh Kushwaha, whose wife Bina Kushwaha is a former ward councillor of Manasa Municipal Corporation ward two and associated with the ruling BJP, has been booked under sections 302 (Murder) and 304 (2) of the Indian Penal code but absconding, the police said.
According to police, Bhawarlal Jain, a native of Sarsi village of Jaora Tehsil of MP's Ratlam district, was found dead on May 19 near Rampura road of Manasar locality, almost four days after he went missing. Bhawarlal Jain had gone to Chittorgarh to attend a marriage ceremony with his family members on May 15. Hours after he was reported missing, the family lodged a missing report in Chittorgarh.
Confirming it, KL Dangi, town inspector of Manasa police station, said, "On the complaint of his brother Rakesh Jain, a case has been lodged under sections 302 and 304 (2) of the IPC against Dinesh Kushwaha and his unidentified accomplice, and teams have been formed to arrest them."
A day after he was found dead at Rampur Road of Mansa, a video went viral on social media in which Dinesh Kushwaha can be seen assaulting Bhawarlal Jain asking for his name and Aadhar card.
"Tera Nam Kya Hai? Mohammed naam Hai Tera?... Aadhar Card Dikha…' (What is your name? Mohammed? Show me your Aadhar Card)."
Dinesh Kushwaha can be seen assaulting him in a one-minute-long video while Bhawarlal Jain was trying to bring something out of his pocket to show. Dinesh Kushwaha incessantly assaulted him and demanded he shows his Aadhar card. The following morning Bhawarlal Jain was found dead at the same place, the police said.
Spelling the details of the incident, a senior cop of Neemuch police said, "Bhawarlal Jain is native of Sarsi village located in Ratlam District and was missing from a religious event in neighbouring Chittorgarh district. Neemuch too has a village with the same name. Hence, after missing for two days, Bhawarlal Jain mistakenly reached Manasa from Chittorgarh between May 17 and 18 and was desperately looking for his home and family members when Dinesh Kushwaha spotted him."
"Hungry and distressed for days, mentally challenged Bhawarlal Jain failed to establish his credentials to Dinesh Kushwaha. When Dinesh Kushwaha was incessantly asking his name, he uttered the word "Mohammad ''. Hearing a Muslim name allegedly irked Kuhswaha, who began assaulting him," the officer said,
As the video went viral and reached Bhawarlal Jain's family, his brother Rakesh Jain lodged an FIR against Dinesh Kushwaha at Manasa police station.
Speaking over the phone, Neemuch SP Suraj Kumar said, "It was an unidentified body when we found it near the Rampur road. Afterwards, we circulated his photo with details on social media and nearby police stations. Hours later, a Jain family claimed the body identifying him as Bhawarlal Jain. We handed over the body after the autopsy."
The following day, the family approached the police with a video in which Dinesh Kushwaha can be seen assaulting Bhawarlal Jain.
"Police lodged an FIR on prima facie of the incident and are looking for the accused and his accomplice," SP added.
The police said they are also looking at CCTV footage of the area and other links to investigate the matter.
When NewsClick approached Pawan Patidar, Neemuch district president of BJP, he confirmed Dinesh Kushwaha's association with the party and said, "He wasn't holding any post, but he is a BJP worker. The law will take its course."
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