Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Supreme Court Slams UP Government
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
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By Linus Garg
First publised on 2021-10-08 11:06:21
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
The Supreme Court today came down heavily on the UP government for not handling the aftermath of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident with efficiency. CJI N V Ramana said that "We are not satisfied with the action taken by the UP government so far. We expect responsible government and police. The allegations are very serious, including gunshot injuries."
CJI Ramana added that "What is the message that you are sending? Even in normal circumstances....will the police not go immediately and arrest the accused. Things have not proceeded the way they should have. It appears to be only words and not actions" forcing the UP government lawyer Harish Salve to meekly admit that "I agree that not enough has been done."
But who will do that "enough"? Since the accused is the son of the junior home minister in the Union cabinet, the UP police are pasting notice for appearance at the gate of his house. If it was an ordinary citizen, a manhunt would have been launched and the person would have been picked up for questioning. The court also said that since the charges are serious, the police should have taken sterner action. It also questioned the bona fides of the SIT by saying that "this is what happens when all are local people."
This is truly becoming a stage-managed affair. The main accused has not been arrested yet. His minister father goes around proclaiming his son's innocence. Using the benefit of the high office his father holds, the accused is choosing the date and time of his appearance before the police, where, for all practical purposes, he will be treated with kid gloves. There is little hope that the investigation will proceed in a fair manner or the real perpetrators will be punished.
