J’khand MLA thrashes men in kangaroo court
In an incident of a legislator unbecomingly taking the law into his own hands, an MLA of Jharkhand’s ruling JMM has taken to thrashing several young men brought to his public court with accusations such as eve-teasing.
The controversial JMM legislator from Dumri in Giridih district, Jagannath Mahto, was caught in mobile phone cameras as he meted out instant justice at the janata durbar (people’s court) at his house attended by hundreds of people on Tuesday. Most complaints where his intervention was sought were related to minor violations of the law, said sources, but the MLA chose to himself wield a stick to punish the accused, mostly young men.
Surprisingly, there was little outcry in Jharkhand over Mahto’s act after footage of his beating up and punishing several men was shown on local television channels. The MLA’s act also gave the impression that the police in his constituency did not enjoy the people’s confidence, a malady seen by analysts as one of the reasons behind Jharkhand’s recent surge in crime.
When reached by journalists, an unapologetic Mahto justified his act, saying gleefully that only thrashing could help reform unruly young men. “If not beaten up for their wrongdoing, how can the youths be reformed? They deserved some thrashing. Does not a father punish his children when they commit mistakes?” asked Mr Mahto, who is facing criminal charges such as murder, violent attacks and violations of the Arms Act.
Mr Mahto’s act has made itself yet another incident involving Jharkhand MLAs making headlines this month. Independent MLA from Panki Videsh Singh was fired upon by robbers when he chased them on his motorcycle unaccompanied by his bodyguards on January 7.
Former MLA David Murmu was badly beaten up by a police constable over a quarrel about parking spot earlier this week.
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