Pehlu Khan lynching: 2 juveniles convicted, sentencing on Saturday

A Juvenile Justice Board in Rajasthan’s Alwar district has convicted two teenagers in connection with the mob lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in 2017, said defence lawyer Adarsh Yadav on Friday (March 6). Reports suggest they will be sentenced on Saturday.

Another juvenile is facing trial in another court since he is older than 16 years.

A mob of suspected cow vigilantes had on April 1, 2017 mercilessly thrashed Pehlu Khan in Alwar, suspecting him to be smuggling cattle. He died in a hospital two days later. The two teenagers were accused of being part of the mob, reported Hindustan Times.

Six men hailing from Haryana’s Nuh district were accused in the murder of the 55-year-old dairy farmer, but were given benefit of doubt and acquitted in August last year. The state government has challenged their acquittal in Rajasthan high court.

Under India’s juvenile law, the two juveniles can be held in custody for a maximum period of three years. Their lawyer, Adarsh Yadav, said the grounds for the order will be known only after the sentencing.

Related news: Rajashtan HC quashes cattle smuggling case against Pehlu Khan, his sons