Lucknow: Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the killing of a 27-year-old woman in Hardoi on April 13, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday stated that the policemen who overlooked life threats to the victim should be dismissed from service.
Akhilesh visited the family of the victim, Shilpi Kushwaha, at their residence in Hardoi and handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to them, assuring them of all possible assistance to secure justice. He held extensive discussions with Shilpi's parents and her two brothers.
“The helpless daughter could sense that her life was in danger. She visited the police station multiple times to inform them about it. The district police chief was also informed. However, Shilpi could not get justice. Those responsible should be severely punished. The services of the guilty police officers should be terminated,” Akhilesh said.
“We also demand a CBI probe into the murder and the lapses that led to the crime. I will write a formal letter demanding a CBI investigation because this is what Shilpi’s family wants,” Akhilesh added, noting that no ex gratia can fill the void left by Shilpi’s death but will help the family continue their struggle for justice.
Shilpi, a resident of Garhi Rasoolpur in the Mallawan police circle of Hardoi, was murdered on April 13. Based on a written complaint from the family, a local youth, Rishab Trivedi, and his father, Promod, were arrested. Later, the district police chief suspended the inspector in charge of the Mallawan police station for dereliction of duty after it emerged that the victim had repeatedly informed the police about threats to her life, but no action was taken.
“There were reports that the policemen misinformed their seniors that they had resolved Shilpi’s complaint. These policemen should be identified and punished because the lie claimed a daughter’s life,” Akhilesh said.
He asserted that crimes against women are increasing across Uttar Pradesh, where the poor and deprived are left to fend for themselves, with the police, backed by the BJP government, turning a blind eye to such incidents.
