Dalit couple lynched for eloping

Des Raj 23 and Nirmala 17 had eloped on March 27 and gone to the house of Des Raj8217;s brother-in-law, Pappu, in Raj village. Next day, Pappu came to the village and informed the two families that the lovers were staying at his house. Members of both the families went to his house and asked the couple to return.

Meanwhile, the Shimla village panchayat had met and ordered Des Raj to leave. He was, in fact, pushed out by the villagers but returned to the village, openly challenging the decision of the panchayat. Following this, the panchayat met for a second time but failed to reach adecision.

Meanwhile, a number of close relatives of the lovers started assembling and decided to make an example of them for future generations. Des Raj was called to the chaupal where hundreds of villagers had assembled. As soon as he arrived, some persons attacked him with lathis and stones, killing him.

After this, family members of Nirmala brought her to the chaupal. She was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon which was repeatedly thrust into her stomach till she died.

According to reports, the relatives of the lovers continued to attack the bodies with stones and lathis. Later, the bodies were dragged through the village to the cremation ground.

When a police party, headed by an SHO, reached the village, it could only recover some burnt remains for forensic examination.