The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to withdraw case against all accused in Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case 2015. Mohammad Akhlaq (50) was killed in a mob lynching by cow vigilantes in Dadri in 2015. After almost a decade, the Yogi government is on the verge of withdrawing all charges against the 15 accused in the case.

Akhlaq and his son Danish had faced the mob’s wrath on September 28, 2015, following an announcement from the village temple that he had slaughtered a cow. Akhlaq was lynched by a mob over rumours of alleged cow slaughter and storing its meat at his home in Dadri’s Bisada village in Greater Noida in 2015. His son, Danish was also thrashed by the mob but he survived following treatment in hospital for several days.

Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case

A horrific murder took place in the village of Bisada in Uttar Pradesh on September 28, 2015. Akhlaq and his son Danish were taken out of their house on the basis of rumors that cows had been slaughtered in their house and were severely beaten. Both father and son were dragged out of their house and badly beaten up. Akhlaq, later, died at a Noida hospital while his son survived.

The murder sent shockwaves across the country. Following this incident several murders in the name of cow protection occurred in different parts of the country. Police had arrested several people in this incident. Among them was Vishal Rana, son of local BJP leader Sanjay Rana. Cases were filed against the accused under several non-bailable sections, including murder. In 2015, 15 persons including Vishal Rana and his cousin Shivam as the main conspirators who led the mob to Akhlaq’s house and assaulted the family.

Police had registered an FIR at Jarcha police station under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 323 (assault), 504 (intentional insult to disturb peace), of IPC.

The meat recovered from Akhlaq’s house was also sent to a forensic laboratory in Mathura for examination and the report had stated that it belonged to a “cow or its progeny”. Akhlaq’s family, however, had alleged that the samples were switched.

Yogi govt changes mind after 10 years

However, after 10 years, the Yogi government has changed its mind in this case. Recently, an application was submitted by the government in the court, in which it is said that the state wants to withdraw the case under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On October 26, a letter in this regard was received by the state government to the public prosecutor. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh has reportedly given written approval to withdraw the case. After the government’s letter, the state government’s application was submitted to the court on October 15 by the public prosecutor. The case will be withdrawn if the court allows it.

According to Gautam Buddha Nagar Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC), Bhag Singh Bhati, the withdrawal application, issued by the state government in connection with Mohammad Akhlaq Ahmed’s case, was filed before the competent court on October 15.

“The court is yet to pass order on the application. It has rather fixed December 12 for hearing the matter,” said Bhati. He added that it was for the court to decide whether the case would be withdrawn or not. Until then, the trial would continue.

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