A shocking incident of mob lynching has come to light in Godda district, Jharkhand. Pappu Ansari, a resident of Ranipur village, was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on Wednesday. The victim’s wife is an elected member of the local Panchayat Committee. The incident has raised serious questions about law and order in the state.
According to reports, Pappu Ansari was legally engaged in the buying and selling of cattle. On Wednesday, he was returning home from the evening cattle market in Banka district of neighboring Bihar when his vehicle was stopped by a mob near Matihani village in Godda. The victim’s wife stated that the mob demanded money illegally, which led to a dispute and subsequent assault.
It is reported that the attackers also tried to seize the vehicle driver, who managed to escape the scene. Pappu Ansari was mercilessly beaten by the mob. According to the family, he was attacked with sticks, rods, axes, and even arrows. The assault was so brutal that identifying the body became difficult. Family members alleged that both of his legs were broken and his tongue was cut, with death occurring at the spot.
Pappu Ansari was the sole breadwinner of the family, which includes his wife and five young children. News of the incident sparked outrage not only across the state but also nationwide, raising questions about the law and order under Jharkhand’s India alliance government.
Expressing condemnation, former secretary of the Manu Students’ Union, Faizan Iqbal, said, “In a state where the government claims to run a ‘shop of love,’ a Muslim man was brutally lynched. Is there no shop of love for Muslims? When will this cycle of violence end?”
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari described the killing as inhumane, stating, “The brutal murder of Pappu Ansari will not be tolerated under any circumstances.” He added that the Chief Minister has been informed and strict instructions have been issued to ensure action against the perpetrators.
SDPI Jharkhand President Hanzala Sheikh also criticized the government, saying that such incidents repeatedly occur due to rising hatred in society and failure of law enforcement. Sheikh added that an SDPI delegation met the victim’s family to express condolences and submitted three key demands to the government: immediate justice through a fast-track court, ₹1 crore as financial compensation, and a government job for one eligible family member.
The SDPI state leadership warned that if the government does not address these demands and take strict action against the culprits, the party will be forced to launch a state-wide democratic movement.
Two days after the incident, senior district officials met the family to assure them of justice, while the police continue their investigation.
