In a significant update from Raebareli district, police have announced the arrest of two more individuals in connection with the tragic lynching of Hariom Valmiki, a Scheduled Caste man. These latest arrests, which include Ajay Agrahari on October 15 and Akhilesh Maurya on Saturday, October 18, 2025, raise the total number of people apprehended in the case to 16.
Hariom Valmiki, 40, was brutally attacked and killed by villagers during a late-night vigil on October 2. The horrific incident occurred after locals mistakenly identified him as a thief, fueled by baseless rumors circulating about a gang using drones to survey homes for robberies.
The shocking lynching ignited a firestorm of condemnation, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties. Both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party have publicly accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of failing in its duty to protect Dalit communities and control escalating mob violence.
Following the initial attack, police promptly registered a case and had already arrested 14 individuals, including the primary suspect, who was apprehended after an encounter on October 10. In response to alleged lapses in handling the situation, five policemen, including two sub-inspectors, were suspended.
The incident also prompted a high-level meeting on October 11 in Lucknow, where Valmiki’s widow, Sangeeta, and her family met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During this meeting, Mr. Adityanath extended assurances of justice and pledged comprehensive government support. This support includes providing housing under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme, securing a permanent job for Sangeeta, and ensuring her family benefits from various welfare programs.
Adding to the political pressure, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the deceased’s family in Fatehpur district on Friday. During his visit, Mr. Gandhi alleged that local authorities attempted to prevent the family from meeting him.
In a powerful statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi, Mr. Gandhi expressed profound sorrow, saying, “The brutal murder of Hariom Valmiki has shaken the conscience of the entire nation. A painful question lingered in his family’s eyes: Is being a Dalit still a deadly crime in this country?”