RSS’s block in-charge sets widow’s house on fire in Barkhera

PILIBHIT: A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) block in-charge, along with his accomplices, set ablaze a thatched house belonging to a 40-year-old widow in Barkhera town in Pilibhit district around 11 pm on Sunday night following a property dispute. Meena Devi and her three daughters -- aged 7, 11 and 16 years -- were sleeping inside but, luckily, escaped unhurt though the house was completely gutted. A cow calf also died in the fire, claimed the woman. Following the arson, the woman slipped into depression and has been admitted to the local community health centre.
SHO of Barkhera police station, SK Upadhyay, said an FIR has been lodged against accused Kamlesh Gangwar, 47, and his two unidentified aides under sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Police said the accused are on the run.
Pilibhit district's 'karyvahak' of the RSS, Bhadrapal (who goes by his first name only), admitted Kamlesh Gangwar is the organisation's block in-charge in Barkhera. On being asked if any disciplinary action would be taken against Gangwar, Bhadrapal said he was out of station and will take stock of the matter once he comes back. "I will first collect information about the incident and on the role of Kamlesh Gangwar in the matter before taking any action against him," said Bhadrapal.
Meena Devi, in her statement to police said that she had purchased a residential plot near Barkhera railway station last year from one Jagdish Prasad and was living in a thatched house with her three daughters. Soon, Kamlesh Gangwar, had started threatening her and told her to vacate the house in order to grab her property. Meena Devi then approached the district magistrate for help on May 9, following which SDM Vandana Trivedi began a probe into the matter.
The SDM told TOI that there is a dispute between the accused and the victim over the plot of land. Accused Kamlesh has no legal rights over the land as his father had executed a donation deed of his share of land in favour of Gayatri Parivar. Later, the Gayatri Parivar had given its consent to Meena Devi to construct a house on the said plot, the SDM said, adding “since the matter is in the civil court, the administration cannot comment on it."