‘Lynched because he had beard, religious cap’: Family of Muslim man killed in UP

By Rushda Fatima Khan and Meer Faisal

An elderly Muslim man was lynched in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. The slain was identified as Khurshid Ahmed, 50, a resident of Gharhakhurd village in Kotwali area.

Police have registered an FIR for culpable homicide based on a complaint of the brother of the deceased, Zaheer Ahmad, a day later on Thursday.

Anwar, Khurshid’s younger brother told Maktoob that it was definitely a case of mob lynching. “He was lynched because he had a beard, and wore a religious cap”, he said, adding that the brutal assault took place in an area dominated by Pandits and Thakurs.

“The police are saying the assault was due to a dispute. This is not possible, he did not have disputes with anyone. He was on good terms with everyone in the neighbourhood.” he added.

The police told Anwar that CCTV footage connected to the incident will be available in 2 days.

Superintendent of Police Vipin Mishra said that Ahmad was injured after some persons thrashed and wounded him critically. He identified the accused as Himanshu Pandey. He said that police have launched a manhunt to nab him.

According to his family, Khurshid is mentally challenged, he was unmarried and did not have a job. “He would visit hospitals and recite the Azaan to newborns and make du’a for them. He would pray regularly,” his brother Anwar said.

Khurshid went missing on Tuesday. On Wednesday, his family found out he was killed. A local newspaper reported that after he was found in a critical state, he was rushed to the District Hospital of the area. However, he succumbed to injuries and passed away on Wednesday.

This story was first appeared on maktoobmedia.com

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