Bidar, 13 August

A Dalit man was allegedly murdered by four men for grazing goats in agricultural land in Jirgyal village of Bhalki taluk, Bidar on Thursday. Police on Friday have arrested four men - Pradeep Vamanrao Ladhe, Rajkumar, Sharad, Shubham – all of whom were residents of the village. 

The dispute arose some four to five days ago when the deceased, Rajkumar Shinde, had allowed his goats to graze in the field belonging to Pradeep, damaging some of the crops, according to a complaint by the deceased’s mother 

Pradeep scolded Rajkumar, who was reportedly drunk, and an argument ensued.  

"The deceased was reportedly a habitual drinker,” said Bidar district Superintendent of police Pradeep Gunti. “His loud behaviour had frightened accused Pradeep's wife.”

Then, on Thursday, at around 11.00 am Rajkumar went to the field of Angad Dadarav Biradar to graze goats. His brother, Mahendra, went there later to give him food. But at 12.30, Mahendra called home in panic. 

He said that four men came to the spot and hurled caste-related abuses at Rajkumar Shinde. The complaint states that Pradeep Ladhe struck the deceased on the head with an axe, while the others twisted his arms and legs and kicked his back. 

By the time the deceased’s mother Sushila Vithalrao Shinde and her husband Vitthalrao reached the spot, Rajkumar was dead. The accused fled. 

They have since been arrested and are booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, as well as charges relating to murder and other sections of the BNS at Mekhkar Police Station.