Former DM, police among 26 booked for illegal demolition of journalist’s house in Uttar Pradesh
Maharajganj: Nearly two months after the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to hold officials accountable for the illegal demolition of journalist Manoj Tibrewal Akash’s ancestral house, the police have registered a criminal case against 26 individuals. Those named in the FIR include the then District Magistrate (DM) Amar Nath Upadhyay, several police officers, administrative officials, engineers, and contractors.
The FIR, filed on December 30, 2024, charges the accused with 16 offences, including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of law, forging documents, and wrongful confinement. The demolition, carried out on September 13, 2019, was reportedly linked to a road widening project. Tibrewal alleges the action was part of a "vindictive conspiracy" following his father’s complaint about corruption in the construction of a nearby highway stretch.
In November 2024, a three-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud condemned the act, describing it as “bulldozer justice,” and ordered the state to pay Tibrewal Rs 25 lakh in compensation. The apex court also instructed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to ensure punitive measures against those responsible.
Tibrewal’s complaint claims that officials demolished the family’s two-storey house and shop without notice, acquisition process, or compensation. He described the incident as a “criminal act,” alleging officials forcibly vacated his family, misbehaved with his mother and pregnant sister-in-law, and left no time to retrieve valuables.
The property, purchased by Tibrewal’s grandfather in the 1960s, was reportedly marked for partial demolition during a meeting with district officials. However, the next day, the entire structure was demolished, allegedly without warning, under heavy police deployment.
The FIR names several officials, including ADM Maharajganj Kunj Bihari Agarwal, executive officer Rajesh Jaiswal, superintendent engineers Manikant Agarwal and Ashok Kanojia, and nine police officers, among others. The charges include rioting, criminal intimidation, causing injury, forgery, and endangering personal safety.
Amar Nath Upadhyay, who served as Maharajganj’s DM during the incident, has faced prior accusations of financial irregularities, including overreporting the number of cattle at a conservation centre. Following the demolition, he was suspended but later reinstated to other administrative roles.
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'Fighting Indian State itself' remark: Sambhal court asks Rahul Gandhi to reply by May 7
Sambhal (UP), Apr 4 (PTI): A court in Sambhal on Friday directed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to file his reply by May 7 over his controversial remarks about "fighting the Indian State itself".
During the inauguration of the Congress' new headquarters in Delhi on January 15, Gandhi alleged that the BJP and the RSS have captured every institution of the country and said, "We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself."
Hindu Shakti Dal national president Simran Gupta moved the application before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Special MP-MLA Court) at Chandausi in Sambhal, her lawyer earlier said.
Speaking to PTI, Gupta said, "On January 15, Leader of Opposition (in the Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi, during the inauguration of the Congress' new headquarters in Delhi, had said that 'our fight is not only with the RSS and the BJP but also with India'."
This comment demonstrates disrespect towards the citizens and democracy of the country, the Hindu Shakti Dal chief said.
"It mocks the people and poses a threat to the unity and integrity of India. This statement has hurt the sentiments of people across the country, due to which I first complained to the District Magistrate of Sambhal, SP Sambhal and others.
"But, my complaint was not heard, so I filed a case against Rahul Gandhi on January 23 in Chandausi Court, Sambhal. The court had asked Rahul Gandhi to appear on April 4. Today, the court has issued a notice and asked him to file a reply in this matter by May 7," Gupta said.
The Hindu Shakti Dal chief's lawyer Sachin Goyal told PTI, "Simran Gupta had filed a case against Rahul Gandhi in the court in which the Additional District and Sessions Judge Nirbhay Narain Rai, while accepting the case, had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi (on March 20) and directed him to appear on April 4 or file his reply. Today, the court has given the date of May 7 in this case and directed that Rahul Gandhi should file his reply by May 7."
