Nearly nine months after the Dadri lynching case, tension gripped Bisara village again on Monday as Dadri residents, including kin of the accused in the September 2015 Akhlaq lynching case, defied the prohibitory orders and held a mahapanchayat, demanding registration of an FIR against Akhlaq’s family after a recent forensic report stated that the meat found in his house was that of “cow or its progeny”.
Also, some local members of the BJP and the Shiv Sena joined the protesters in the meeting that was called in the evening by local BJP leader Sanjay Rana — whose son Vishal is a prime accused in the infamous lynching case — pressing for action against Akhlaq’s family within 20 days or they will intensify their protest. Akhlaq was lynched over an alleged rumour that his family had eaten beef.
“Residents of Bisara village want that if a cow was slaughtered, a complaint should be lodged and probe should be fair. We are only demonstrating against the Uttar Pradesh Government,” said Rana in the mahapanchayat that was held in the same temple from which a priest had made an announcement urging residents to turn up at Akhlaq’s home.
Fearing an untoward incident, the district administration has stepped-up the security in the village.
Meanwhile, all the 18 accused involved in the lynching case were produced in the Surajpur district court on Monday. However, charges to be framed against them have been postponed after the Defence counsel raised certain objections and demanded a report on the nature of injuries suffered by Akhlaq and his son Danish. The court adjourned the matter for hearing on June 10.
On the other hand, Akhlaq’s family members have decided to challenge the forensic report issued from Mathura forensic laboratory. Yasuf Safai, lawyer of Akhlaq’s family said he will challenge the Mathura lab report in a higher court.
“The meat sample collected in this case was taken from outside, not from Akhlaq’s home, and it is not related to this case. We will challenge the lab report in a higher court,” Yasuf said.