Assam: Rape and murder accused beaten to death by mob after fleeing custody

The accused and two other criminals fled from police custody on Tuesday from a court in Dhakuakhana where they were taken for a hearing

Published on: Aug 18, 2022, 17:49:41 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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A rape and murder accused who fled from police custody on Tuesday was beaten to death by a mob on Thursday in Lakhimpur district of Assam, police officials said.

For representational purposes only. (PTI File Photo)

Raju Baruah, alias Gerjai, was hiding near a stream in Kilakili village within the Ghilamara police station limits when he was spotted by some local villagers. He was immediately nabbed and beaten mercilessly by the villagers before they handed him over to the police.

“We got to know about the incident early on Thursday morning. By the time a police team reached the spot, the accused was already severely injured and unconscious. He was taken to a local hospital, but succumbed to injuries,” Lakhimpur superintendent of police BM Rajkhowa said.

“The accused, in his late 40s, is an infamous criminal in the area and had over a dozen cases of dacoity, rape and murder against him. Locals are aware about his criminal activities,” he added.

Also Read:Assam: Another rape accused killed in police firing, 2nd in 24 hours

The police have lodged a case of murder against unidentified persons and are trying to identify the people behind the assault. However, no arrests have been made yet.

The accused and two other criminals fled from police custody from a court in Dhakuakhana where they were taken for a hearing. While one of them was nabbed on Wednesday, search is on for the third.

Baruah sustained injuries in an encounter with police in September last year and had fled from a Covid-19 ward in a hospital in January this year, before he was nabbed again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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