Another Mob Lynching Incident, This Time ASI Killed in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara

Mob lynching incidents have gripped the entire nation in the last couple of years. As per reports, around 24 people have been killed in mob lynching so far this year.

Mobs killing people in the name of cow slaughtering, cow smuggling, child lifting, and sometimes even over fake news have become quite common. However, in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh,  a 53-years-old assistant sub-inspector Devchand Nagle was hacked to death by the mob when he went to arrest an alleged criminal in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

The incident shook the entire state police department which immediately suspended Amit Bhause, town Inspector of the Umreth Police Station, where Nagle was posted. 

“After the incident, police booked 11 people under section 302 (Murder) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested nine people in connection with the death. Police has also launched a hunt to arrest the rest of them”, said Additional Superintendent of police, Neeraj Soni.

When asked about the negligence in carrying out raids, ASP Neeraj Soni said, “Yes, there was negligence, they should not go for a raid without arms and a proper team. Nevertheless, the TI of the police station has been suspended.”

The incident

According to police, after receiving a tip off and with the permission of Town Incharge Amit Bhause, ASI Devchand Nagle and  constables Anil Kumre and Kotwar, went to arrest Jauhar Thakur, the accused in an assault case, from his home, despite being unarmed. 

Jauhar Thakur was having a party and everyone was heavily drunk when the police team raided his home. Police had arrested Jauhar Singh but as soon as they moved around 100 meters from his home, Jauhar Singh’s family members, including women, attacked the trio with sticks and axe, the police further stated

While constables Anil Kumre and Kotwar managed to escape from the spot, Nagle got caught and was beaten to death.  There were two tothree axe injuries on his body, the police said.

The state police department has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 to Nagle’s family and offered posting on compassionate ground. Moreover, the department has also recommended the state government to award a martyrdom status to Nagle because he died on duty.

Family of ASI

On Wednesday morning, the news of Devchand Nagle’s death dropped like a bomb on his family and village. Father of three kids and a resident of Seoni district, Nagle was posted as sub-inspector at the Umreth Police station of Chhindwara district. 

Nagle’s cousin Dhankumar Suriya, who is also a police constable, said, “We had a chat on July 25 and there was nothing unusual about it. However he did complain about the enormous work load due to staff crunch, owing to which, he had not visited home for more than six months. He was the sole bread earner of the family.”

Speaking about the mob lynching incidents, Dhankumar Suriya said, “Not even in my wildest dreams could I have thought about such kind of death. This prevailing trend in the country is not good.”