Mandya: The CID has ramped up its probe into the mysterious death of Jayakumar, a Dalit man from Kaththaragatta in Mandya taluk, following the state government’s decision to transfer the case for an independent investigation.
Led by DySP Umesh, the CID team visited the village on Saturday. They conducted a spot mahazar (on-site inspection) at the location where Jayakumar was found dead amidst a pile of hay. The team also visited his residence and recorded statements from his wife to understand the chain of events.
Jayakumar’s death occurred a day after he lodged a police complaint on May 16 against a fellow villager, Anil Kumar, who had stacked hay on Jayakumar’s land despite repeated objections. On May 17, Jayakumar was discovered dead in his field, reportedly burned among the hay.
His family and Dalit organizations strongly suspect foul play, alleging that he was deliberately set on fire. The incident has triggered outrage and calls for justice.
On May 29, Legislative Council’s SC/ST Welfare Committee Chairperson P.M. Narendraswamy visited the village to gather firsthand information from the family and locals. His visit signaled the seriousness with which the matter is being treated at the political level.
As the CID continues its investigation, the Dalit community and civil rights activists are closely watching, demanding a thorough and unbiased probe into what they believe is a caste-targeted killing.