Uttar Pradesh govt orders release of Bhim Army chief from jail

Chandrashekhar also known as Ravan, 30, was arrested in June 2017 in connection with the May 5 clashes in which one person was killed and 16 others were injured at Shabbirpur village in Saharanpur.

The state government on Thursday ordered immediate release of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar, alias Ravan, who was arrested for the clashes between Dalits and the police in Saharanpur on May 9, 2017, principal secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

The scenes of violence and its aftermath in Saharanpur, India, where at least half-a-dozen policemen and an additional district magistrate were injured on May 9, 2017. (HT File Photo)

Kumar said the decision to release Chandrashekhar was taken after his mother filed a mercy application to the state government. He added that the situation in Saharanpur and other circumstances were also analysed before the decision.

Chandrashekhar, the founder of Bhim Army — a group of Dalit youth — has enjoyed a celebrity status in his neighbourhood in Saharanpur where many consider him to be a crusader for social justice. His and his group’s growing influence in the region was seen to have been a part of a stronger Dalit voice that has risen in the last couple of years.

Chandrashekhar was accused of sparking the May 9 clashes during a protest against the police cane charge on people protesting “caste violence” in Saharanpur’s Shabbirpur village on May 5.

Kumar said the order has been sent to Saharanpur district administration and their release was likely by Friday.

While Chandrashekhar’s judicial custody was till November 1, 2018, that of Sonu and Shiv Kumar was till October 14, 2018.