Akhlaq Lynching Case: Judge Issues Final Warning on Transfer Plea
The Gautam Buddha Nagar district court has granted a final opportunity to the accused in the 2015 Mohammed Akhlaq lynching case. District Judge Atul Shrivastava made this decision during a hearing on Wednesday. He warned that any further delays would lead to the rejection of their application seeking transfer of the case to another court.
Incomplete Paperwork Leads to Adjournment
During the hearing, the counsel for the accused, Dinesh Kumar, requested an adjournment. He cited incomplete paperwork as the reason for this request. The defense lawyers had initially moved this transfer plea before the district judge on January 8. They informed the fast-track court of Additional District Judge Saurabh Dwivedi about this development at that time.
Family Counsel Opposes Delay
Counsel for Akhlaq's family, Andleeb Naqvi, strongly opposed the adjournment request. He informed the court that the accused had already delayed proceedings by filing the transfer application on January 8. This action prevented the recording of witness statements that day.
"We informed the district judge that Akhlaq's wife Ikraman had come to record her statement before the fast-track court," Naqvi stated. "Since they moved the transfer application, the judge did not proceed further and adjourned the court for a fortnight."
Judge's Observations and Decision
Following these arguments, District Judge Shrivastava acknowledged that Ikraman's statement could have been recorded on January 8. He noted there was no stay on the trial at that time. The judge then examined the adjournment order and comments recorded by the fast-track court.
Based on this examination, Judge Shrivastava granted one last chance to the accused's counsel. He scheduled the next hearing for January 22. The judge made it clear that the transfer application would face rejection if the accused failed to submit all relevant documents by then.
Background of the Case
Mohammed Akhlaq, aged 55, was lynched by a mob in Bisada village on September 28, 2015. The attack followed rumors that his family had stored beef at their home. His son Danish sustained injuries while trying to save his father during the violent incident.
On December 23, the fast-track court described the lynching as a "serious crime against society." The court observed that no grounds existed for withdrawing the prosecution against the accused.
The case continues to draw significant attention as it moves through the judicial process. All parties now await the January 22 hearing with the understanding that this represents the final opportunity for document submission regarding the transfer plea.
