Rajasthan CM orders DGP probe into Bhedana lynching; Beniwal demands IG, SP removal
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed the state's Director General of Police (DGP) to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the death of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Attar Singh Bhedana, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Bharatpur district on Monday, 13 October. The incident, reportedly triggered by a dispute over the resumption of a stone crusher plant, has sent shockwaves through political and legal circles across Rajasthan.
Chief Minister's Directive and Initial Response
Chief Minister Sharma spoke directly with the DGP on Monday to obtain a detailed briefing on the case and assess the ground situation. According to sources, he also consulted Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham and directed him to closely monitor developments as the situation evolves.
The Chief Minister has emphasised the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken against those responsible.
Beniwal Demands Removal of Senior Police Officials
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) president and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal has called for the immediate removal of the Bharatpur Range Inspector General (IG) and the district Superintendent of Police (SP), arguing that their continuation in office compromises the possibility of an impartial probe.
Beniwal also cited allegations by local residents that Bhedana was assaulted following alleged instigation by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bedham. These allegations have not been established as facts and are expected to be examined as part of the investigation.
Family Files Murder Complaint, Seeks CBI Probe
Bhedana's wife, Kamlesh Bhadana, has filed a murder complaint naming approximately 80 people, including several alleged assailants. In her complaint, she stated that she attempted to shield her husband during the attack but was pushed aside and assaulted, sustaining injuries herself.
The complaint also references an earlier incident on 25 September, when a group allegedly entered the stone crusher unit, assaulted employees, vandalised the facility, and fled. A complaint regarding that incident was lodged at Weir police station on 27 September. The family has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the circumstances surrounding Bhedana's death.
Post-Mortem and Ground Situation
A medical board conducted a post-mortem examination at the mortuary of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Monday. Following the examination, the family took Bhedana's body to Pali village in Haryana's Faridabad district.
Heavy police deployment continues in Bhonda village, where an atmosphere of tension has reportedly prevailed since the incident. This is the kind of volatile communal or mob-violence flashpoint that Rajasthan has seen periodically — with Bharatpur district having witnessed similar episodes of social unrest in recent years.
Who Was Attar Singh Bhedana
The former Bayana MLA is survived by a son and four daughters. His youngest daughter, Kiran Bhedana, is an IAS officer from the 2017 batch. His son, Arjun Singh Bhedana, practises law at the Supreme Court. His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from political, administrative, and legal circles across the region.
With the family pushing for a CBI inquiry, opposition pressure mounting, and senior police officers facing calls for removal, the investigation into Bhedana's death will be a significant test of the Sharma government's commitment to accountability.