Mohammed Akhlaq was lynched over a rumour that he and his family had consumed beef
Police today said they have not yet found any "credible evidence" of cow slaughter by Mohammed Akhlaq's family and refuted claims that a closure report will be filed soon.
Circle Officer, Dadri, Anurag Singh said, "I was under transfer and today I have joined at Agra. I had told media that so far we have no credible evidence of cow slaughter by Akhlaq's brother so we cannot arrest him yet. Regarding the filing of closure report I had only said that this is last step (to take) if we do not get any evidence."
"Till the last moment the investigation continues and whenever we'll get any evidence we will arrest the accused. In this case as investigation is still underway we have not yet planned a closure report. Now a new officer will decide the matter," he said.
The reports that police are planning a closure report triggered tension in Bishada village where Mr Akhlaq was lynched over a rumour that he and his family had consumed beef.
Senior Prosecution Officer DSR Tripathi said, "In the cow slaughter case we have not yet received any such report from police. Without our legal opinion final report (FR) or closure report cannot be filed. I don't think police will make a hurry in filing FR in the case."
He said 18 persons were arrested for Mr Akhlaq's murder and that two minors had got bail and court proceedings were going on in the case.
"Though Akhlaq and his family members were made accused in the case lodged on court orders, but the high court had stayed the arrest of the accused, except Jaan Mohammad, Akhlaq's brother," Tripathi said.
Father of one of the accused and BJP leader Sanjay Rana alleged that police are in a hurry to close the case.
"I challenge the police or even any UP minister to file the final report in the cow slaughter case. Enough evidence has been given in the complaint. Police were in hurry to close the case to please the state government which has adopted a policy of appeasement towards a particular community ignoring the facts," Mr Rana said.