Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Jun: Dr Asha Lal, President (Women’s Wing) of the All India Freedom Fighters Committee, Delhi, and Coordinator of the ‘Akhil Bharatiya Shaheed Senani Parivar Kalyan Mahaparishad’, Uttarakhand, today submitted a memorandum through the District Magistrate, Dehradun, addressed to the Chief Minister and Governor of Uttarakhand.
The memorandum sought a fair and high-level investigation into the brutal murder of 18-year-old Ketan Lal, a resident of Lambgaon in Tehri Garhwal district and a member of the Scheduled Caste community. It stated that, if the incident was motivated by caste prejudice, so-called “honour”, or opposition to an inter-caste relationship, it would constitute not merely the murder of an individual but a direct assault on the constitutional values of equality, social justice, and human dignity.
Through the memorandum, the State Government was urged to ensure that the case is investigated by an independent agency or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and that the accused be prosecuted under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with all other relevant legal provisions. It further demanded that the matter be tried in a Fast Track Court to ensure speedy justice for the bereaved family.
In addition, the memorandum called for adequate financial assistance to the victim’s family, provision of a government job or an appropriate rehabilitation package, the establishment of a State-level Special Cell to prevent honour crimes, sensitisation and prompt intervention training for police personnel, and awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to promote constitutional values, social harmony, and human rights.
Dr Asha Lal stated, “Securing justice for Ketan Lal is not merely the concern of one family; it is a test of Uttarakhand’s social conscience, constitutional commitment, and humanity. If such heinous crimes are not met with strict and exemplary action, they will only foster fear, inequality, and caste-based violence in society.”
She urged the State Government to treat this matter with utmost seriousness and ensure prompt, impartial, and stringent action.
On this occasion, members of various freedom fighters’ organisations and civil society representatives were present, including Sudhir Kaushik; Jagmohan Mehendiratta from the Joint Citizens’ Organisation; SP Dimri; Er Madan Lal; and representatives of the Dalit community, namely Daulat Kunwar, Hridayesh Kumar, Rajpal, Sunita Devi, Arjun, and others.
