2011 Moradabad violence: 16 get life term, had attacked senior IPS officer and torched vehicles

On Tuesday, the court had convicted the 16, who had been out on bail until then. They were taken into custody. The court was to pronounce the sentence on Friday but due to a holiday, the matter was taken up on Saturday.

Additional District Government Counsel, Moradabad, Brij Raj, said, “Additional District Judge Krishna Kumar Singh sentenced all 16 accused to imprisonment for life and also imposed a fine of Rs 55,000 on each of them.”

He further said in total, 24 prosecution witnesses were examined during the trial, including Ashok Kumar and the then District Magistrate, Raj Shekhar.

The accused were convicted under IPC sections including 147 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent destroy house, etc).

The incident took place during the tenure of the Mayawati-led government in the state.

Ashok Kumar is currently serving as Additional Director General at the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board. Raj Shekhar is Managing Director, Jal Nigam (Rural).

The case

According to Brij Raj, on July 6, 2011, a police team went to a man’s home in Asalatnagar village, which falls under the Mainather police station area, to question his eldest son following allegations that he had molested a minor girl.

He said when the police team arrived, only the man’s daughter was home. Shortly after, rumours spread in the village that the policemen had allegedly disrespected a religious book at the home. Angry residents soon gathered in large numbers and blocked the Sambhal road.

When police attempted to disperse the crowd, the government counsel said, the situation escalated and protesters started pelting stones. Personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) were rushed in to assist the local police; they too came under attack, and their vehicle was set on fire by the mob.

Ashok Kumar rushed to the spot along with senior district officials, including Raj Shekhar. Both officers were travelling in the same vehicle. Their car was halted near the Dingarpur area, where protesters had already set a government vehicle on fire, said the prosecution.

According to the prosecution, Ashok Kumar attempted to pacify the crowd. The prosecution said members of the mob then surrounded and attacked him. Additional police forces who reached the location managed to disperse the mob and rushed Ashok Kumar to a hospital.

Police registered an FIR and arrested 25 persons in connection with the incident. During the probe, six of the accused were found to be minors and their cases were separated for proceedings under the Juvenile Justice Act.

A chargesheet was filed in court against the remaining 19 accused. Three of them passed away during the trial.

At the time, the Mayawati-led government had dismissed seven policemen who were part of the escort team accompanying Ashok Kumar for allegedly fleeing the spot when the officer was attacked.