Man kidnapped, beaten to death over personal enmity in Rajasthan

Six people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 22-year-old man in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. The crime allegedly stemmed from personal enmity between the victim, Mahavir Singh, and the main accused, Hamir Singh. About 15 people were allegedly involved in the deadly assault.

According to the police, the incident occurred when Mahavir was riding a motorcycle with his friend, Bhopal Singh. The duo were allegedly intercepted by Hamir Singh and his accomplices, who had arrived in three cars.

The motorbike was rammed by one of the four-wheelers. As a result, Mahavir and Bhopal were knocked down to the ground. Before they could get back on their feet, the attackers, led by Hamir, allegedly beat them using sticks and iron rods.

The duo were then forced into the cars and taken away. Bhopal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, has recounted that he and his friend noticed 2–3 vehicles approaching from the opposite direction while they were riding the motorcycle. Even though it was daytime, the cars were repeatedly flashing their headlights, arousing suspicion.

As the bike-borne friends slowed down and moved to the side of the road, the vehicles allegedly rammed the motorcycle. Bhopal claimed that the attackers immediately bundled him into one of the vehicles while surrounding Mahavir and beating him mercilessly until he was nearly unconscious.

While Bhopal was dumped nearly 10 kilometres away, the attackers allegedly drove away with Mahavir.

"They threatened that if I told anyone about this, they would kill me. After that, they ran away with Mahavir. I was also injured in this attack. There were about 15 people in the vehicles, out of which I could recognise Hamir Singh, a resident of Myjlar, and Papu Singh, who owns a vegetable cart. The rest were miscreants," he said.

Police said Mahavir was found near a village in a critically injured condition and was taken to a government hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Shivhare, said a case has been registered in the matter. According to sources within the police, the seriousness of the incident prompted the officer to immediately form several teams to track down the accused.

According to Mahavir's father, Gordhan Singh, his son had earlier been involved in two or three verbal altercations with Hamir. However, the family said they never imagined the dispute would escalate into such a brutal killing.

The victim's relatives staged a sit-in protest outside the mortuary, demanding the arrest of all accused persons and the suspension of the local police station's officer in charge. They have refused to accept the body until their demands are met.

Mahavir's family has accused the police of failing to keep them informed after the incident. They alleged that the body was shifted directly from the hospital to the mortuary without informing them.

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