Akhilesh Yadav Condemns UP Government Over Alleged Fake Police Encounters
Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the state government on Saturday, criticizing what he described as a spate of fake encounters under the BJP administration. Speaking from Lucknow, Yadav emphasized that only courts have the authority to hand out punishments, and any deviation from this constitutional principle constitutes a crime.
High Court's Strong Rebuke Against UP Police
Akhilesh Yadav's comments came just one day after the Allahabad High Court delivered a strong criticism of the Uttar Pradesh Police for their frequent encounters, particularly highlighting the practice of below-the-knee shootings. The court described such actions as a clear sign of disregard for judicial authority and mandated specific guidelines for all police-criminal encounters.
Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal explicitly stated that awarding punishment falls strictly within the domain of the judiciary, not the police. The court warned that failure to comply with these guidelines would be treated as contempt, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Specific Cases Highlighted by Akhilesh Yadav
The SP chief cited several specific instances to support his allegations:
- Pushpendra Yadav Case (Jhansi, 2019): Barely four months after his marriage to Shivangi Yadav, Pushpendra Yadav was allegedly shot dead by police after his trucks were seized. Shivangi pursued the case for months before the Allahabad High Court ordered an FIR against the officers involved. Tragically, Shivangi died by suicide in 2023.
- Tarun Gautam Case (Noida, 2022): Tarun Gautam from Mathura was shot in the leg during an encounter. His family finally received relief from the court in 2025, with an FIR lodged against twelve policemen, including the then in-charge of Jewar police station in Noida.
Broader Allegations Against BJP Government
Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of systemic failures and misconduct:
- Misuse of Police Administration: He alleged that the government is misusing police power and violating constitutional principles, with laws not being followed properly.
- Protection of Criminals: Yadav claimed that the BJP government is protecting real criminals, leading to rising crime, corruption, and adulteration.
- Discrimination in Police Postings: He pointed to rampant discrimination in the transfer and postings of police personnel under the current administration.
- Creating Public Terror: The SP leader alleged that the BJP aims to create a sense of terror among the public through such encounters.
Police encounters corrupt the administration. Only our courts can punish offenders. If anyone else hands out punishment, it is a crime, Akhilesh stated firmly, adding that police cannot assume the role of courts.
Context of Widespread Criticism
Yadav asserted that since the BJP government came to power, there have been widespread fake encounters, ruining the lives and families of many innocent people. He noted that even the courts have taken note of this disturbing trend and expressed their displeasure, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Injustice and atrocities are a norm under the BJP government. People are being denied justice. Murders are committed in the name of fake encounters. Backed by the government, the police are going out of control, he remarked.
The former chief minister concluded by stating that the BJP government has failed on all fronts, resulting in deteriorating law and order, alongside rising corruption, price hikes, and unemployment. He emphasized that the encounters in Jhansi and Noida serve as clear examples of arbitrary actions by select officers who take the law into their own hands, encouraged by political backing.
