Dalit youth set ablaze by mob in Dewa dies

LUCKNOW: A Dalit youth, who was attacked and set on fire by a mob in Barabanki on July 18, died at Civil hospital here on Monday.
The victim, Sujeet Kumar (26), named five persons in his dying declaration. While three accused were arrested on July 19, the remaining two accused were held on Monday.
Sujeet, a resident of Tindoli Tauki Mati in Barabanki's Dewa area, had gone to his in-laws' home in Raghupurwa village when he was chased by stray dogs. Sujeet took refuge in a shed outside a house. But local villagers, including the five accused, mistook Sujeet for a thief and assaulted him. The group then poured petrol on Sujeet and set him on fire even as he kept saying that he was not a thief.
In the meantime, some villagers had informed police. But by the time police rescued Sujeet, he had sustained 30% burns.
SP Barabanki Akash Tomar said Sujeet was drunk when he was nabbed by the villagers. "Villagers drenched Sujeet in petrol with the fuel pipe of a generator before setting him on fire," Tomar added. While police claimed that only five persons lynched Sujeet, eyewitnesses said more persons were involved.