Eight Muslims Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Killing a Hindu in 2000 Riots in Tonk, Rajasthan

Jaipur (Rajasthan) – A court has sentenced eight Muslims to life imprisonment for the murder of farmer Hariram during the 2000 riots in Malpura, Tonk district. The convicted individuals are Islam, Mohammad Ishaq, Abdul Razzak, Irshad, Mohammad Zafar, Sajid Ali, Bilal Ahmed, and Mohammad Habib.

The riots resulted in six deaths, including that of BJP leader Kailash Mali. However, in the case of Mali’s murder, the court acquitted five Muslim accused, citing the benefit of the doubt. The special court in Jaipur delivered the verdict on December 2, 2024, for both cases.

Why did the riots occur ?

On July 10, 2000, Kailash Mali was murdered in Malpura, Tonk district. He was pushed off his moving motorcycle and stabbed to death. News of his murder spread rapidly across urban and rural areas of Tonk, sparking tensions. During this period, Muslim mobs targeted Hindus in multiple locations, leading to deaths on both sides.

Another case involving 17 accused in the same violence is still pending in court. Mali had earlier been named the main accused in riots that broke out in Tonk following the demolition of the Babri structure in 1992. This reportedly made him a target for Muslims. However, Mali’s wife claims he was deliberately framed in the earlier case.