In Dadri, local BJP leader Sanjay Rana, whose son is among those arrested for allegedly lynching Mohammad Akhlaq, demanded the release of the accused.
Highlights
- New forensic report said meat found in dustbin was beef
- Dustbin was outside the house of Mohammad Akhlaq, lynched last year
- BJP said Mr Yadav was politically satisfying a particular community
The latest forensic report in the Dadri lynching case -- which says the meat found in the dustbin outside Mohammad Akhlaq's home is beef -- has triggered a fresh political row in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
Today, as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned the authenticity of the report, BJP leaders from the state targeted his Samajwadi Party.
A day after the report came in, the Chief Minister said, "Where was the sample sent, who received it? There was nothing objectionable in his (Akhlaq's) house. Every eye is on this matter. Everyone wants that the victim's family should get justice as murder had taken place."
Today, Union Minister Sanjeev Baliyan said it was "really unfortunate" that Mr Yadav was questioning the authenticity of a report since he wants to "politically satisfy" a particular constituency.
19 people were arrested in the Dadri lynching case, one of whom is a juvenile.
Hitting out at the ruling Samajwadi Party, BJP lawmaker Yogi Adityanath alleged they only want votes. The "innocent Hindus arrested in the matter should be immediately released" he said, and demanded that a case of cow slaughter be registered against Akhlaq's family, which carries a 7-year jail term in the state.
Nineteen people were arrested after 52-year-old Akhlaq was dragged out of his home in Dadri's Bisada village last September and beaten to death by a mob. The attack was triggered by rumors of cow killing. The police had taken samples from the meat found in a dustbin outside his house and quoted a local doctor as saying it was mutton.
In Dadri, local BJP leader Sanjay Rana, whose son is among those arrested in the case, seconded Yogi Adityanath's demand. "We want a case registered against them for cow slaughter. Want all the privileges extended to them withdrawn by the state government and all the innocent people to be released," he said.
Akhlaq's relatives had moved out of the village after the attack. His immediate family is now living with his son, a member of the Air Force, at a base in Delhi. His other relatives are living in Dadri town.
"We find the report suspect," said Akhlaq's younger brother Jaan Mohammad. "The whole country saw the way they murdered our brother, we want justice."