A fact-finding report on the killings of two Dalit youths in Peedanahalli, Tumakuru district, on April 21, states that the two youths were lynched by several villagers. The report also alleges several lapses in the investigation and demands a change of the Investigating Officer (IO).
The fact-finding committee was led by multiple Dalit organisations, Alternate Law Forum (ALF) and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
“The deceased Girish P. M. of Peddanahalli village was a Dalit leader questioning the upper caste persons in the village and was involved in certain fights, which is why he seems to be targeted. An upper caste boy came to his house and took him out under the garb of visiting a nearby temple fair, only to be beaten up by a mob who accused him of stealing borewell starters in the village, which is unfounded. His friend Manchaladore Girish was also targeted with him. Several villagers have participated in the lynching,” alleged Dr. K. B. Obalesh of Safai Karamchari Kavalu Samiti, who led the fact-finding committee.
