Justice demands echoed across Palakkad as members of an action council gathered outside the District Collectorate, protesting the bail granted to the accused in the Ramnarayan lynching case. The demonstration was led by Shashikant Baghel, brother of the victim, who said the protest was called after a local primary court released the accused. He appealed to the government to cancel the bail, alleging serious lapses in the legal process. According to him, the court failed to invoke provisions of the SC/ST Act despite video footage reportedly showing Ramnarayan being assaulted after being questioned about his religion and caste.
His brother told ANI, "The strike was called because the local primary court has released the accused in the Ramnarayan case on bail. We appeal to the government to reject his bail application. The local primary court has refused to register a case under the SC/ST Act, even though the video clearly shows that he was beaten after being asked about his religion and caste. The SC/ST Act should be applied in this case."
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Meanwhile, a special court in Palakkad granted bail to eight of the nine accused in the Walayar mob-lynching case involving the death of a migrant worker in Attappalam. The order was issued by the Special Court for cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Mannarkkad on Saturday, February 1. The decision sparked criticism from activists and the victim’s family, who argued that granting bail in such a grave case weakens accountability and raises concerns over justice for victims of alleged caste-based violence and mob attacks.
Ram Narayan Baghel, the victim, was a 40-year-old construction worker from Karhi village in Chhattisgarh who had arrived in Palakkad on December 13 in search of work. On December 17, he was accused of theft and allegedly lynched by a mob in Attappalam, Walayar. Bail was approved for Anu, Prasad, Murali, Ananthan, Vipin, Jagadeesh Kumar, Shaji, and M Rajesh. The court imposed strict conditions, including a ban on leaving Palakkad district, surrender of passports, and furnishing two surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
According to reports, bail for the ninth accused, Vinod Kumar, was delayed due to late submission of his application, which has now been filed. Earlier, some residents claimed Ram Narayan appeared disoriented and approached women labourers, allegedly triggering the assault, though the women denied this version. Criticism of the police’s initial handling led to the formation of an action council to support the family. Later, Palakkad Police Chief Ajith Kumar IPS formed a 10-member Special Investigation Team under the district crime branch.