The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the process to withdraw all criminal cases against the accused in the infamous lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Bisahra village, Dadri, on 28 September 2015. The state has filed a formal application in court under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), seeking permission for the prosecution to drop the cases.
The brutal killing of 52-year-old Akhlaq, allegedly over rumors that he had stored beef in his home, had sparked nationwide outrage at the time. While Akhlaq was beaten to death, his son Danish sustained serious injuries. A total of 15 people were named as accused in the case, with 10 primary suspects facing charges including murder, attempted murder, rioting, assault, intimidation, and other related offenses.
The government’s petition cites “changing statements of witnesses,” “absence of prior animosity between the accused and the victim’s family,” and “lack of evidence of use of firearms” as reasons why the case may no longer be legally sustainable. The state has argued that withdrawing the case is justified in the interest of restoring social harmony and given the prolonged pendency of the trial.
The final decision on the application will be made by the local court in Surajpur. Until the court grants permission, the cases against the accused will not be formally considered withdrawn. The next hearing is expected in the second week of December.
The move has drawn sharp reactions in political and civil society circles. Left-leaning parties and human rights organizations have criticized the decision, calling it “a message that encourages mob violence.” Members of Akhlaq’s family expressed deep disappointment, saying the hope for justice has once again been weakened.
The Dadri lynching case has remained a focal point in national debates on mob violence, communal tensions, and law-and-order issues for nearly a decade. The ongoing process of case withdrawal has once again brought the case into the national spotlight, with the court’s verdict set to determine the next chapter in this highly sensitive matter.
