Amid the communal tensions in Udaipur over the alleged stabbing of a class 10 student by his classmate, the house where the 15-year-old accused lived with his family on rent was demolished by the city municipal corporation on Saturday. The reason provided for the demolition is that it “encroached” on forest land, The Indian Express reported.
The police have said that the forest department issued the family a notice on Saturday morning but the owner of the house failed to provide any form of ownership document. Post this, the house was demolished, Inspector General, Udaipur range, Ajay Lamba, said. In a video that surfaced shortly after the demolition, a man identifying himself as the landlord stated that four other families were residing in the house, and all of them were asked to vacate.
The owner, Rashid Khan, could be heard asking why his house was being demolished, adding that the accused and his family are at their relative’s place. “I went to the municipal corporation but everyone is on leave. I went to the police station but they refused to stop the demolition. This is an injustice towards me – I have lost my house without any fault of mine,” he added.
In the aftermath of the stabbing incident, mobs have set vehicles and shops on fire and even pelted stones. This led to the district administration to issue prohibitory orders and suspend internet services for 24 hours.
The accused and his father have been detained. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old who was stabbed is stable, officials have said.