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Death penalty for Dalit murders Death penalty for Dalit murders
(20 minutes later)
A court in the western Indian state of Maharashtra has sentenced six people to death for killing four members of a lower-caste Dalit family in 2006.A court in the western Indian state of Maharashtra has sentenced six people to death for killing four members of a lower-caste Dalit family in 2006.
Two others were sentenced to life in prison. All eight were found guilty by the court last week.Two others were sentenced to life in prison. All eight were found guilty by the court last week.
A Dalit farmer's wife, daughter and two sons were lynched by an upper-caste mob in a land row. The farmer escaped.A Dalit farmer's wife, daughter and two sons were lynched by an upper-caste mob in a land row. The farmer escaped.
The case led to widespread protests. Crimes against Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, often go unpunished.The case led to widespread protests. Crimes against Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, often go unpunished.
Discrimination against Dalits, who are at the bottom of the centuries-old Hindu caste system, is a punishable offence in India. Even so, campaigners say violence against Dalits is on the rise.Discrimination against Dalits, who are at the bottom of the centuries-old Hindu caste system, is a punishable offence in India. Even so, campaigners say violence against Dalits is on the rise.
Death sentences are relatively rare in India - and even more rarely carried out. According to law, the death penalty must be confirmed by a higher court, and may be appealed against.Death sentences are relatively rare in India - and even more rarely carried out. According to law, the death penalty must be confirmed by a higher court, and may be appealed against.
RapedRaped
The brutal killings took place on 29 September 2006 in a remote village called Khairlanji, in Bhandara district in the north-east of the state.The brutal killings took place on 29 September 2006 in a remote village called Khairlanji, in Bhandara district in the north-east of the state.
Dalits are often the victims of inter caste violenceDalits are often the victims of inter caste violence
Surekha Bhotmange, her 17-year-old daughter Priyanka and two sons, 19-year-old Roshan and 21-year-old Sudhir, were at home when an upper-caste mob broke into their mud hut and murdered them.Surekha Bhotmange, her 17-year-old daughter Priyanka and two sons, 19-year-old Roshan and 21-year-old Sudhir, were at home when an upper-caste mob broke into their mud hut and murdered them.
The four were dragged out and beaten with bicycle chains, sticks and other weapons, the court in Bhandara heard.The four were dragged out and beaten with bicycle chains, sticks and other weapons, the court in Bhandara heard.
The mother and daughter were stripped and raped by the mob, prosecutors said. The women's bodies were found in a nearby canal the next day.The mother and daughter were stripped and raped by the mob, prosecutors said. The women's bodies were found in a nearby canal the next day.
Surekha's husband, Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, managed to escape and hid behind a tree from where he watched his family being killed.Surekha's husband, Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, managed to escape and hid behind a tree from where he watched his family being killed.
He pursued the case with the support of several human rights activists.He pursued the case with the support of several human rights activists.
MenialMenial
The killings led to widespread protests across Maharashtra and in November 2006, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau for Investigation (CBI). The killings led to widespread protests across Maharashtra and in November 2006 the case was handed over to the Central Bureau for Investigation (CBI).
A month later, the agency charged 11 people with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly with deadly weapons, murder, trespass, outraging the modesty of women, destruction of evidence and caste-related offences.A month later, the agency charged 11 people with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly with deadly weapons, murder, trespass, outraging the modesty of women, destruction of evidence and caste-related offences.
Last week, the court convicted eight while three others were acquitted for lack of evidence.Last week, the court convicted eight while three others were acquitted for lack of evidence.
The prosecution argued that the killings were caste-related, but the court rejected the allegation.The prosecution argued that the killings were caste-related, but the court rejected the allegation.
About 10.2% of Maharashtra's approximately 100m-strong population belong to the Dalit community. About 10.2% of Maharashtra's population of about 100 million belong to the Dalit community.
In the traditional Hindu caste system, Dalits were considered the lowest of the low castes.In the traditional Hindu caste system, Dalits were considered the lowest of the low castes.
They were expected to do the most menial jobs in villages. They could not share basic amenities, including drinking water, with upper-caste people.They were expected to do the most menial jobs in villages. They could not share basic amenities, including drinking water, with upper-caste people.
Such practices still exist in rural areas.Such practices still exist in rural areas.