Yogesh Raj, the Bajrang Dal leader accused of violence in Bulandshahr, says police is presenting him as someone with a long criminal history.
New Delhi: The prime accused in the Bulandshahr violence on Wednesday put out a video claiming his innocence even as teams of Uttar Pradesh Police are on the lookout for him.
A man claiming to be Yogesh Raj, the local leader of the Bajrang Dal, denied the charges, saying he was not present when the clashes erupted.
“We have seen the video of the accused which is being shared on social media,” said Anand Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), UP police. “He is giving his version of the story and claiming that he was not present at the spot. We have evidence which shows his presence at the scene of crime.
“By shaving his beard and making this claim, if he believes that he can mislead the investigation, then he is mistaken. Efforts to nab him are underway and he will be nabbed soon,” Kumar said.
Violence broke out in Bulandshahr Monday after remains of a cattle were found in a field. Suspecting cow slaughter, the mob clashed with police, leading to the deaths of inspector and Syana Station House Officer Subodh Kumar Singh and 22-year-old undergraduate student Sumit Singh.
Also read: UP cop killed in Bulandshahr had investigated Akhlaq beef lynching case
‘God will bring me justice’
Speaking in Hindi throughout the nearly two-minute long video, the man said police were attempting to portray him as someone with a criminal record.
“Jai Sri Ram. I am Yogesh Raj, Bulandshahr district coordinator for Bajrang Dal. You must be following the cow slaughter case in Syana area of Bulandshahr. The police is presenting me as someone who has a long criminal history. I want to tell all of you that that day two incidents took place,” he said.
Raj explained there were two incidents that occurred that day — the first was the cow slaughter. “The first incident took place in Mahav village of Syana where the cow slaughter happened. When we received this information, I reached the spot along with my friends. People in the administration also reached there. After bringing the situation under control, we went to the police station to lodge an FIR. When we were sitting at the police station, we received information that villagers had pelted stones at the spot and a young man has been shot as well as a policeman,” he said.
The man, purportedly Raj, went on to question why the Bajrang Dal would protest after demanding that a case be lodged at the Syana police station.
“In the second incident, I was not present at the spot. I have nothing to do with the second incident. I have complete faith in God who will bring me justice. Thank you,” he said.
Also read: Mob set police post on fire, screaming ‘maaro, maaro’ – Bulandshahr cop’s witness account
One of the two FIRs registered in the case was filed on the basis of Raj’s complaint, which claims that a group, including Raj, witnessed several residents of Naya Bans slaughtering cows. The group claimed they were lodging the complaint as their Hindu sentiments were hurt.
The seven accused, all Muslims, are residents of the Naya Bans locality where Raj lives.
The second FIR names Raj, 26 others and 50-60 unidentified persons as accused under 17 charges relating to murder, sedition, arson and dacoity for the mob violence and the two deaths.
Also read: Bulandshahr focus shifts from Hindu vigilantism to cows or is Yogi following due process?
In Rajasthan, perpetrators named in the dying declaration of a person who had been lynched were found by the police, based on mobile tower triangulation, to have not been present at the site. At least in this case, when one of their own has been killed, the police should play with a straight bat.
His speech is hesitant, as if he was forgetting some prepared parts. It lacks the flow and ease which a genuine statement would have. If he is subjected to interrogation he will start stammering in two minutes. But for that he needs to be arrested first! And I can see from his face that he will spill the beans very quickly. So the chances are that he will never be arrested, or if he is, he will be subjected to “friendly” interrogation. Like by some officer who was seen showering flowers on “kawadias” from a helicopter.