Kin held for Dalit youth’s murder, “honour killing” ruled out

Barmer: Police today claimed to have solved the mystery behind the murder of a 20-year-old Dalit man, Ajay Valmiki, whose body was found in mutilated state, and arrested the deceased’s cousin brother for allegedly killing him.

Rahul Valmiki (20) was arrested last night on the charges of killing his cousin brother Ajay, a sweeper, over some dispute, police said, while ruling out the possibility of “honour killing” as some social activists had alleged.

Rahul and Ajay were together consuming liquor on the intervening night of November 27 and 28 when the former hit the later over some dispute leading to his death, they said without disclosing the reason behind the altercation.

The body of Ajay Valmiki was found in a mutilated state behind a government school building on the morning of November 28, police said.

“Based on suspicion, we had detained Rahul but was released after his family members claimed that he was innocent. He was arrested last night after a thorough probe,” SP Anil Paris said.

The Valmiki community people and activists who were on dharna demanding arrest of the accused have called off the agitation.