Only sympathy with victim’s family in Dadri visit: Sangeet Som

Only sympathy with the victim’s family led me and Union minister to negotiate a compromise in Dadri’s Bishada village leading to cremation of Ravi Sisodia, an accused in the alleged lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq, says Sangeet Som.

Excerpts from an interview with Aman Sharma:

Why did you and Union minister Mahesh Sharma visit Bishada?
We had no political motive…only sympathy with the victim’s family. It is neither an issue of politics nor there should be politics over it. People criticising us do not want peace at any cost. These people cannot stand with any victim. They want to sustain an explosive law and order situation. The whole administration and villagers are thanking us. Why criticise it - that is sordid politics. We worked very hard…I left only after the body was cremated. The compromise statement was read out by me…I did not insert any politics into it…earlier incidents were also not raised in it.

Do you think the compensation of Rs25 lakh is justified?
Prima facie you cannot call it a natural death. The allegation is that he was beaten up in jail that led to his death. Let us not pre-decide the cause till probe is over. CBI probe has been recommended as per family’s demands. Rs10 lakh is being paid to the family by the state government. Another Rs10 lakh has been collected by local officials from people given poor condition of the family. Rs5 lakh will be paid by us. He was married just over a year back.

The family also demanded arrest of Akhlaq’s brother Jan Mohammad…
The SSP and DM told us that the probe is on and they want proper evidence to be collected and then arrest will happen, as otherwise the person will get bail the next day if there is no evidence. We agreed to this. SSP told us they are not closing the case…there was a discussion that a team can be formed comprising Mahesh Sharma and others and that they can show us the case diary periodically… police is ready. Probe must be fair with no pressure from any quarter. Police must get a free hand.

Why was the tricolour put on the body?
This is not in my knowledge. When I reached there, no tricolour was there on the body.