Pehlu Khan lynching case: All six accused acquitted by Rajasthan court

The court of additional district judge Sarita Swami in Alwar, Rajasthan, on Wednesday found X people guilty in the lynching death of Pehlu Khan, a Muslim cattle trader, in 2017.

The lynching of Pehlu Khan, which was caught on camera, had evoked horror nationwide and triggered protests against the activities of cow vigilantes (gaurakshaks).

Pehlu Khan was a native of Nuh, Haryana. He was attacked by over a dozen gaurakshaks in Behror, Rajasthan, on the Delhi-Alwar highway on April 1, 2017, for allegedly transporting cattle without permission. Pehlu Khan died of his injuries in hospital two days later.

Interestingly, the Rajasthan police had initially given a clean chit to six of the seven accused in the lynching of Pehlu Khan. In December last year, the Rajasthan Police also framed charges against Pehlu Khan and his two sons for violations of the state's law on cow slaughter.

Pehlu Khan's family claimed he had receipts to show the purchase of cattle from a cattle fair in Jaipur.

Speaking to reporters before the verdict, Pehlu Khan's family's lawyer said they expected life imprisonment for all the seven accused in the case. Lawyer Qasim Khan alleged there was political pressure in the case.

More than 40 witnesses, including Pehlu Khan's sons, deposed in the trial. Pehlu Khan's sons were with him when he was attacked.