CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has requested Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to ensure that justice is done to the family of Mohammad Akhlaq, the victim of the lynching in Dadri last September. In a telephonic conversation and a subsequent letter, Karat also asked Yadav to look into the circumstances in which a court order was given under CrPC Section 156(3) for filing of an FIR against Akhlaq and his family members and investigating the charge of cow slaughter. In the letter on July 16, Karat wrote, “As I had informed you yesterday, pressure is being mounted on the family members of Akhlaq by those involved in his murder. Since the family members are witnesses in this case, they are being threatened, so that they withdraw from the case. From their public statements it is clear that senior leaders of the BJP are also involved in targeting the Akhlaq family. The latest move to accuse them of being guilty under the cow slaughter laws of UP is part of this conspiracy.” “I had pointed out to you the role of the police in not providing sufficient information to the court of the manufactured nature of the accusation of cow slaughter revealed during the police investigation into the events leading up to the lynching of Akhlaq. The police should have provided the court with the evidence they already have which is available in the charge-sheet so as to show that no fresh investigation is required. Instead the police gave a one line written statement that no FIR is filed or investigated on the issue of cow slaughter,” she said. The petitioners in this case who made utterly false accusations could not provide enough evidence for the court. So the court refused to take cognisnce that a crime had been committed. It ordered only for an investigation by the police. This is a clear case of blatant misuse of CrPC Section 156(3) by the accused in a murder case and the police and the administration should have been alert to prevent it. “In this context I also request you to ensure that the case of murder is properly followed by the Government prosecution and that there should be no delays in the judicial procedures. I had also requested you to provide security to family members who are being threatened and falsely accused as also the lawyer Yusuf Saifi who is providing all legal help to the family and is therefore also being targeted. One of the family members who require security lives in Ghaziabad the neighbouring district, so the Noida authorities are unable to provide him protection. I request you to give the necessary orders to the administration in both districts,” Karat said. It is indeed a shame for the whole country that a family which is in mourning and yet to recover from the sudden brutal public killing of their beloved family member, should now be subjected to this kind of harassment and mental torture. It is clear that the accused and their powerful patrons, some sitting in government at the Centre, are determined to justify the murder and public lynching, cause communal polarisation through the making of false charges of cow slaughter and drag on the investigation so as to take communal benefit from it. “I am confident that you will take all the necessary steps to prevent these nefarious plans and to ensure protection to the family of Akhlaq and bring justice to them,” she said.