NEW DLEHI: Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention over the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to withdraw charges against the accused in the 2015 Dadri mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq, PTI reported.In her letter on Saturday, Karat called the withdrawal a “politically motivated” step and raised concerns over the role of the UP governor. “I write to draw your urgent attention to the role of the Uttar Pradesh governor in the matter of the mob lynching case of Md Akhlaq, which occurred in September 2015. The governor has given written permission to the UP government to go ahead in its wholly illegal and unjust attempt to subvert the processes of justice and to withdraw the entire case even though the main witness has already given evidence,” she said in letter. Karat highlighted that the victim’s daughter had already testified in court, naming and identifying all accused, with two other direct witnesses yet to give statements. She alleged that the UP government cited minor grounds such as use of lathis instead of guns, lack of personal animosity, and potential communal tension to justify withdrawing the case. “This is motivated not to meet the ends of justice but to subvert the entire judicial process,” Karat wrote. She also questioned whether the governor had a duty to counsel the state government against such a move. “Should the governor not counsel the government against such a step? Is it not the duty of the governor to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law?” she asked.Karat urged the President to intervene and direct the governor to revoke the permission given to the state to withdraw the case. She noted the urgency, as the government affidavit, approved by the governor, was scheduled to be discussed in court on December 12 but was postponed at the prosecution’s request.The Dadri lynching, which sparked nationwide outrage, occurred after a mob attacked Akhlaq and his son following an alleged temple announcement claiming he had slaughtered a cow. Akhlaq died from his injuries, while his son continues to recover from severe wounds.
