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2015 Dadri lynching case: Accused seek transfer of case to new court, to appeal before HC

Say they are also moving HC to appeal trial court’s December 23 decision to reject the UP government’s plea to withdraw charges against accused

3 min readNoidaUpdated: Jan 9, 2026 03:18 AM IST

Witnesses absent, UP court to hear Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case on Thursday

The court in Surajpur had earlier rejected the Uttar Pradesh government’s plea to withdraw all charges against the accused in the 2015 lynching of Akhlaq

The defence lawyers representing the accused in the 2015 Mohammed Akhlaq lynching case on Thursday informed the fast-track court that they have moved a plea before the district judge seeking transfer of the case to another court.

They also submitted that they plan to file an appeal against the fast-track court’s December 23 order rejecting the prosecution’s plea to withdraw all criminal charges against the accused.

After hearing these submissions, the fast-track court adjourned the hearing for 15 days, until January 23.

On Thursday, defence lawyer D K Rahul informed the court that they were seeking a transfer of the case owing to “compelling circumstances”. “We are moving the (Allahabad) High Court. We are requesting the court to not proceed,” he said.

In the transfer application, filed on behalf of six accused, the defence counsel wrote that the accused have been falsely framed. “The Uttar Pradesh government, by taking into consideration the seriousness of the matter, had directed to take back the case. When the matter came before the court, it was rejected. The lawyer representing the accused was not given an opportunity to argue and the case was disposed of without hearing us,” the application read.

“When the accused wanted to present their side before the court, the court did not pay any attention to them. With the proceeding like this, it has caused legal and judicial harm to the accused,” it added.

On October 15 last year, the UP government had moved court to withdraw the case, citing several reasons — allegedly inconsistent statements made by Akhlaq’s kin in naming the accused, no firearms or sharp weapons recovered from the accused as well as absence of previous enmity between the accused and the victim.

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The ADJ, however, had directed that the case be categorised as “most important” and be heard on a daily basis. The first hearing thereafter took place on January 6.

Akhlaq (50) was beaten to death by a mob in Dadri on September 28, 2015, over rumours that he had killed a cow and stored the meat in his home in Bisada village in Gautam Buddha Nagar’s Dadri.

Akhlaq’s wife Ikraman was present in the court on Thursday, but her statement could not be recorded. Ikraman and her son Sartaj were brought to the court under police protection.

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

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