For family of Pehlu Khan, man lynched by mob, mourning gives way to fear

Pehlu Khan’s widow says she is facing acute financial crisis and fear, and has vowed not to allow her children to buy any more cattle, be it cow or buffalo.

Iddat or the period of mourning has been over for Jebuna Khan, but the grief of losing husband to lynch mob has not left her eyes.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh gives Rs 25,000 as financial assistance to Pehlu Khan’s family. (PTI File Photo)

Dairy farmer Pehlu Khan’s widow says she is facing acute financial crisis and fear but the mother of eight children has vowed not to allow her children to buy any more cattle, be it cow or buffalo.

“We have to cows and their two calves at home. I told my children not to try to get any more cattle under any circumstances. They can’t continue their father’s business. If possible, we will even sell our animals,” said Jeubna.

Rajasthan police has closed case against six accused who were named by Pehlu Khan in his dying statement. The police cited mobile phone records and the statement of staffs of a cow-shelter (which is run by one of the accused) to counter Khan and his son’s accusations.

Ever since Pehlu Khan was lynched in Rajasthan’s Alwar on April 1, Jebuna has hardly gone out of her home in Haryana. “I have not spoken to the police or any authorities. My world is destroyed. I now fear for the life of my children. My eldest son tells me that people are threatening him,” she weeps, while her youngest son sits on her lap.

She has little understanding about the legal process but has now realized that her son’s testimony will not bring justice. “They say, Irshad’s version will not help us. How can it be? He has seen his father being killed in his own eyes. He is not lying,” she again breaks into tears.