TIA NEWS / LUCKNOW
After intensive search, two of the main accused in Dadri mob lynching case finally arrested on Saturday. With the arrest of Shivam and Vishal the total number of people arrested in connection with the gruesome murder case has gone upto eight.
Police had filed an FIR against 10 people for leading a mob which lynched to death 58-year-old Ikhlaq and critically wounded his 22-year-old son Danish on Monday night following rumours that the family had consumed beef.
While one of the arrested is Shivam, the other is Vishal, who is said to be the son of a local BJP functionary Sanjay Rana.
The victim’s family has alleged that Vishal had reportedly forced the local temple priest to announce that a cow had been slaughtered and stored in their Bishada village house.
Speaking to the media after a review meeting today, state Principal Secretary (Home) Debasish Panda said those accused in the Dadri lynching will be booked under the National Security Act.
Panda said, “We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms and none responsible for the act will be spared. There is clear instruction by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and UP administration to Ghaziabad SP and DM to take stringent action.”
According to the Principal Secretary (Home), out of 10 accused the police have arrested eight. He said the location of another accused has been identified and he may be arrested soon.
Describing the lynching of Akhlaq and injuring of his son Danish as a “heart-rending incident”, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and cooperate with the government.
Naik expressed confidence at the state government overcoming the law and order challenge following the lynching.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the government would ensure that the culprits are punished. “They cannot escape from the grip of law,” said CM Yadav.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and some local Congress leaders were initially stopped from meeting the family of the deceased Akhlaq in their house in Bishada.
After meeting the family, Kejriwal condemned those who were politicising the issue and treating the two communities as vote banks.
Following rumours of alleged cow slaughter and Akhlaq allegedly eating and storing beef in this house, a mob dragged him out of his house and thrashed him to death while injuring his son.
Ensuring a speedy probe in the case the Uttar Pradesh government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the victim.