Court rejects Uttar Pradesh BJP’s bid to drop Akhlaq lynching case, orders day-to-day trial
Lucknow: A court in Surajpur refused the Uttar Pradesh government’s request to withdraw prosecution in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq and directed that the case be taken up for expedited trial with daily hearings.
Additional District Judge Saurabh Dwivedi categorised the matter as “most important” and ordered the prosecution to begin recording evidence without delay. To ensure complete protection of all evidence, the court also directed on Tuesday, that letters be sent to the Police Commissioner of Gautam Buddha Nagar and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 6.
Following rumours that he had slaughtered a cow and stored beef at his residence, Mohammad Akhlaq, 50, was lynched by a mob on September 28, 2015, in Bisada village of Dadri in Gautam Buddha Nagar district. Akhlaq and his son Danish were dragged out of their home and assaulted after an announcement was allegedly made from a temple loudspeaker. Akhlaq later died at a hospital in Noida, while Danish survived after sustaining critical head injuries. Akhlaq’s killing had sparked nationwide protests under the banner “Not In My Name."
All 18 accused villagers were released on bail by September 2017, after the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Adityanath assumed office. One of the accused is the son of a local BJP leader. While the accused returned to the village, Akhlaq’s family moved away citing fear and hostility.
The accused were charged under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code regarding murder, attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation.
On October 15, the Uttar Pradesh government moved an application seeking withdrawal of the case. The petition cited alleged inconsistencies in statements by Akhlaq’s family, the absence of recovered firearms or sharp weapons, and the lack of prior enmity between the accused and the victim.
The court’s order comes amid a legal challenge by Akhlaq’s wife before the Allahabad High Court. She has contested the state government’s decision to withdraw the prosecution and the related application filed by the public prosecutor. Her appeal also challenged a series of administrative orders issued between August and September 2025 that resulted in the withdrawal plea, according to Maktoob Media.
The petition argues that under Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, any withdrawal from prosecution requires the court’s consent and must be assessed independently to ensure it does not result in a miscarriage of justice.
Reacting to the court’s decision, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said the order reaffirmed the primacy of judicial scrutiny and described it as a significant step towards justice.
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Karnataka deputy CM seeks Centre's nod for Bengaluru Metro Phase 3A, other urban projects
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday met Union ministers Manohar Lal and C R Patil and sought approval for pending proposals, including Phase 3A of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Project.
In his meeting with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal, Shivakumar said the state government is currently undertaking several critical urban development initiatives in Bengaluru.
However, certain important proposals submitted by the state government are pending approval, he said in his representation.
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Shivakumar said that approval for the revised completion cost -- from Rs 26,405.14 crore to Rs 40,425.02 crore -- for Phase 2 of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Project (BMRCL) is pending.
Other pending proposals include Phase 3A of BMRCL, the Regional Rapid Transit System for the Bengaluru region, and treatment and disposal of legacy leachate at Mittaganahalli.
The proposal for Phase 3A of BMRCL -- consisting of 36.59 kilometres from Sarjapura to Hebbal with 28 stations at an estimated cost of Rs 28,405 crore -- was submitted to the Central government in January this year but it is still pending, he added.
In a separate meeting with Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, the deputy chief minister discussed pending state water issues.
