Mukhiya Rajaram Hansda testifies he was framed for refusing to name suspects
An accused in the 2017 Nagadih mob lynching case testified in court, claiming police falsely implicated him.
JAMSHEDPUR – Mukhiya Rajaram Hansda, an accused in the 2017 Nagadih mob lynching case, testified in the court of ADJ-1 Vimlesh Kumar Sahay, claiming police falsely implicated him.
Hansda, jailed since June 2017, alleged he was framed for refusing to name other suspects.
He recounted informing Bagbeda police about the May 18, 2017 incident from a kilometer away.
Hansda criticized police for inadequate measures to disperse the mob, leading to four deaths.
He claimed the DSP pressured him to name suspects from Nagadih, Matladih, and Ghaghidih villages.
Hansda testified that his refusal to comply led to threats of implication from the DSP.
During cross-examination, he admitted to not recognizing most victims or accused, except a few from Ghaghidih.
The case involves the brutal murder of brothers Vikas and Gautam Verma, their grandmother Ramsakhi Devi, and friend Gangesh Gupta.
The victims were accused of being child thieves and beaten to death with bricks and stones.
Uttam Verma, the victims’ brother, lodged the FIR at Bagbera police station.
The mob allegedly dragged the victims from a police jeep before killing them.
Ramsakhi Devi succumbed to injuries during treatment at TMH.
The case involves 25 named accused, with several still absconding.
The trial continues as the court examines testimonies and evidence from both defense and prosecution.
