In a significant development, a court in Greater Noida dismissed the Uttar Pradesh government’s request to drop prosecution against the accused in the Dadri Akhlaq lynching case. The court stated that the application was not legally sustainable and not in the interest of justice. The fast-track court at Surajpur, handling the 2015 mob lynching case of Mohammad Akhlaq, rejected the plea after reviewing the presented facts.
The court emphasized that there were insufficient grounds to support the withdrawal of the case and affirmed that the trial would proceed against all the accused. Following the rejection of the government’s plea, the court instructed for regular proceedings in the sensitive case to continue promptly. Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, the court ordered that the case be heard daily to ensure a speedy trial.
To ensure witness safety, the court directed the Police Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Greater Noida, to provide immediate and adequate security to any witness feeling threatened. It stressed the importance of witnesses being able to testify without fear for a fair and fearless environment necessary for justice delivery. The case of Akhlaq’s lynching, which sparked a national controversy, has been under judicial review for years.
The brutal killing of Mohammad Akhlaq due to alleged cow slaughter had sparked widespread outrage and debates nationwide. With the court’s decision to continue the prosecution, all eyes are now on the upcoming January 6 hearing, expected to shape the next phase of this closely monitored case.
