Palakkad:
The investigation into the brutal mob lynching of a migrant worker in Kerala’s Walayar has widened significantly, with police identifying 15 individuals—including women—as accused in the case. The victim, Ramnarayan Bhayyari (31), a native of Chhattisgarh, was allegedly beaten to death by a local mob on suspicions of theft, amid claims of racial prejudice.
The Incident
The killing occurred on Wednesday evening at Attappallam near Walayar, where Ramnarayan, who had recently arrived in Kerala for work, was intercepted by a group of locals. According to investigators, the mob subjected him to an informal “trial,” filmed on mobile phones, before assaulting him with sticks and repeatedly kicking him.
Investigation Intensifies
Initially, five men—Ananthan (55), A. Anu (38), C. Prasad (34), C. Murali (38), and K. Bibin (30)—were arrested. Following public outrage and emerging evidence, the District Crime Branch has taken over the probe and expanded the accused list to 15.
Key Developments
- Women Among the Accused: Police sources say women have been named among the accused. Some reportedly working under the MGNREGA scheme allegedly first spotted Ramnarayan and alerted local youths, triggering the fatal confrontation.
- Grim Post-Mortem Findings: An autopsy conducted at Thrissur Medical College revealed extensive injuries, with doctors noting that “hardly any part of the body was uninjured.” The cause of death included severe internal bleeding and blunt-force trauma to the head and abdomen.
- Racial Angle Alleged: Rights groups have alleged racial targeting, citing claims that the mob questioned whether the victim was a “Bangladeshi,” raising concerns of communal and racial prejudice.
- Charges and Punishment: The accused have been booked under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to murder. Given the alleged mob lynching, the charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Family and Civil Rights Response
The victim’s family, who traveled from Chhattisgarh, along with human rights activists, have demanded ₹25 lakh compensation. They have also urged the state government to officially classify the incident as “mob lynching” rather than an ordinary murder, arguing that this would ensure a more rigorous prosecution.
Current Status
Five accused remain in judicial custody. Police are analyzing CCTV footage and bystander videos to identify and arrest the remaining 10 suspects. The District Crime Branch continues to lead the investigation.
