Dardri lynching: Bishada residents meet SSP, threaten to hold maha panchayat

Residents of Bishada village in Dadri today met the Gautam Budh Nagar SSP to press their demand for registration of an FIR against Mohammad Akhlaq’s family for alleged cow slaughter, following which he ordered a probe into the charge.

SSP Dharmendra Yadav said a case will be registered against the family only if the charge that the meat found in Akhlaq’s home was beef was found to be true.

“It’s a very sensitive matter. The Circle Officer, Dadri, will head a probe into the charges,” he said.

After the meeting with Yadav, Sanjay Rana, father of Vishal Rana, an accused in the 2015 lynching case threatened that a maha panchayat will be held in the village tomorrow as police have failed to register an FIR against Akhlaq’s family.

“A complaint was filed with police after the forensic report said the meat in the freezer at Akhlaq’s house was beef. No FIR has been filed yet in this regard,” he said.

“The villagers have decided to hold a maha panchayat tomorrow as police have failed to register an FIR based on our complaint. Residents of Satha Chaurasi village will also attend it,” he claimed.

He claimed that an eight-member delegation from the village had yesterday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured he would speak to the Uttar Pradesh government in this regard.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had earlier this week questioned the authenticity of the forensic report and said “there was nothing objectionable in his house. Every eye is on this matter. Everyone wants that the victim’s family should get justice as murder had taken place.”

VHP leader Surindera Jain had yesterday visited the village and claimed that the accused had been falsely implicated.

VHP activists had also staged a protest at the Collectorate demanding that the FIR be registered against Akhlaq’s family and the financial help given to them be withdrawn.

Meanwhile, more police personnel have been deployed in the village.