valayar mob lynching case: Conditional bail granted to eight accused

Valayar: Eight accused, identified as BJP–RSS workers and allegedly involved in the mob assault that led to the death of a migrant worker at Attappallam, have been granted bail with strict conditions. The Mannarkkad SC/ST Special Court approved the bail. So far, nine people have been arrested in connection with the case. Of the eight initially arrested, five are said to be BJP–RSS workers. The ninth accused, Vinod Kumar, has approached the High Court seeking bail.

The court granted bail subject to around six conditions. The accused must appear before the investigating officer every day at 11 am, must not influence or intimidate witnesses, and cannot leave the district without prior permission, among other restrictions.

The incident took place on the evening of December 17 at East Attappallam. Ramnarayan Baghel, a native of Chhattisgarh, was allegedly beaten to death by a group that included BJP–RSS workers, who accused him of being a Bangladeshi national. A Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe has identified 20 accused in the case. Efforts to trace the remaining suspects are ongoing.