The demand for the removal of Lakhimpur Kheri’s Superintendent of Police (SP), Ganesh Prasad Saha, has reached Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. On Saturday, six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from the district met with the Chief Minister in Lucknow, alleging negligence and misconduct on the part of the SP.
According to sources, the MLAs expressed their grievances, claiming that SP Saha does not address their concerns, frequently engages in phone conversations with mafia members, and has failed to maintain law and order in the district.
“The SP does not listen to us. He prioritizes talking to the mafia and has deteriorated the city’s security. We request his immediate removal,” one MLA reportedly said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after hearing the concerns of the MLAs, assured them that an investigation would be conducted, and appropriate action would follow. Lakhimpur Kheri district, which comprises eight assembly constituencies, saw six MLAs participating in the meeting, including Yogesh Verma (Sadar), Vinod Shankar Awasthi (Dhaurahra), Saurabh Singh ‘Sonu’ (Kasta), Aman Giri (Gola), Manju Tyagi (Srinagar), and Shashank Verma (Nighasan). District BJP President Sunil Singh also accompanied them.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MLA Saurabh Singh and District President Sunil Singh stated that their discussions with the CM also covered development initiatives in the district. “The Chief Minister assured us he would visit Lakhimpur on January 15 to review the progress of ongoing projects,” said Singh.
The MLAs had earlier raised their concerns with Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on Friday. During the meeting, they accused SP Saha of ignoring their calls and favoring mafia elements. Sanjay Prasad, a trusted officer of CM Yogi, assured the MLAs that their complaints would be forwarded to the Chief Minister for review.
SP Ganesh Prasad Saha, an IPS officer, took charge of Lakhimpur Kheri on January 12, 2023. Known for his sharp administrative skills, Saha has previously served as a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Noida and held positions in Gorakhpur, Banda, Prayagraj, and Deoria. He has also been awarded the prestigious Parakram Award for his service.
Despite his accolades, Saha’s tenure in Lakhimpur Kheri has been marked by allegations of favoritism and negligence. The MLAs have claimed that their inability to collaborate with the SP has hampered governance and development in the district.
