Rajasthan BJP leader Ramavatar Aswal murdered in Jaipur; family stages protest
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Ramavatar Aswal, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Mandal President of the party's Scheduled Caste Morcha, was found dead in a pool of blood inside his scrap warehouse in the Manoharpur area of Jaipur district on Monday night, with his family alleging he was murdered. The 55-year-old, also known as Pappu, was a resident of Manoharpur town and owned the scrap warehouse near the local bus stand.
How the Body Was Discovered
According to police, Aswal was present at his warehouse on Monday night when, based on preliminary investigation, an unidentified man allegedly visited the premises and slit his throat with a sharp-edged weapon before fleeing. When Aswal did not return home, worried family members went to the warehouse and found him lying in a blood-soaked condition. He was rushed to NIMS Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Police Response and Forensic Probe
The Manoharpur police, led by SHO Surendra Singh, reached the scene and, around 12:30 am, called in a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to collect evidence. The warehouse and surrounding area were cordoned off, and police began examining CCTV footage from the vicinity. The body has been kept in the mortuary at NIMS Hospital pending a post-mortem examination. Police personnel have been deployed outside the warehouse as the investigation continues.
Family and Villagers Demand Arrest
On Tuesday morning, family members and villagers gathered at the Manoharpur police station and staged a sit-in protest, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The demonstrators pressed for swift action, reflecting the tension the killing has generated in the local community. News of the murder spread rapidly overnight, drawing acquaintances and residents to the scene.
What Comes Next
Investigators are working to identify and apprehend the accused, with CCTV analysis and forensic evidence forming the core of the probe. The post-mortem examination is expected to formally establish the cause of death and corroborate the family's allegations. The case has drawn political attention given Aswal's standing as a BJP functionary in the region.