Days after the seven accused in the Bulandshahr mob violence case came out on bail to a hero's welcome by their supporters, the family of the slain police officer demanded, on Monday, 26 August, that the accused be sent back behind bars.
Reacting to the grand welcome of the accused, late police Inspector Subodh Kumar's son, Shrey Pratap Singh, said on Monday that such elements are better left behind bars than be allowed to roam free.
"I urge Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that these criminals, who were in jail for six months, should be behind bars in the interest of society. Those who can commit a crime once can do it again. I believe that such people out of jail are a danger, not just for me but also for others," Singh said, PTI reported.
Inspector Kumar and a civilian were killed in the clashes which erupted in Bulandshahr after cow carcasses were found dumped in a forest outside Mahaw village in December 2018.
The deceased inspector’s wife also questioned the reason behind the accused getting “freedom in just six months”. “This judgment has saddened me. On what basis this judgment has been given? I urge the CM that their bail should be cancelled,” ANI quoted Singh’s wife as saying.
‘Govt or BJP Have Nothing to Do With It’: UP Deputy CM
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya said, on Monday, that his party or the government had nothing to do with the incident.
Maurya said, "If supporters and relatives of someone who has been released from the jail welcome them, the government or the BJP have nothing to do with it,” ANI reported.
“Opposition must not make a mountain out of a molehill,” Maurya reportedly stated.
The accused in the case, who were released on bail recently, received a heroic welcome by their supporters who were seen taking selfies and garlanding them on Saturday, amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Vande Mataram.”
The accused, who were granted bail by the chief judicial magistrat, included BJP Youth Wing leader and one of the key conspirators, Shikhar Agarwal. All seven of them were among the 44 facing charges of murder, dacoity and sedition.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)