Indian court convicts 10 for lynching Muslim man 4 years ago

NEW DEHLHI, India – An Indian court on Wednesday sentenced 10 men for 10 years in jail for lynching a Muslim man four years ago.

Tabrez Ansari, 24, was beaten to death by a Hindu mob in the eastern state of Jharkhand in 2019.

The convicts, who accused Ansari of theft, had tied the 22-year-old to an electric pole.

They attacked him and forced him to chant Hindu religious slogans. “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hanuman.”

Ansari worked as a laborer and had come home to celebrate Eid.

A video showing a terrified Ansari pleading for his life with blood running down his face went viral on social media at the time.

After being attacked throughout the night, Ansari was handed over to police.

He was arrested for theft and sent to jail. Ansari died just days later after complaining of nausea and chest pains.

His family said police refused to treat him even though he was injured.

Authorities denied wrongdoing.

The court acquitted two defendants for lack of evidence, while another person died during the trial.

All ten attackers were also fined 17,500 rupees (about $210).

Since 2014, when the Hindu nationalist government took office, there have been a number of lynchings across India.

Muslims in particular, accused of possessing beef or carrying cows, have been the target of mob violence.

According to various media reports and nongovernmental organizations, at least 88 people have been killed in lynchings since 2015.

In 2017, the Indian Parliament passed the Protection from Lynch Law, which criminalizes mob violence.

However, the law has been criticized for being too weak and not providing adequate protection to victims.