UP minister fired after mob he headed kills policeman

Mayawati stopped short of ordering his arrest — the minister is an influential leader of the Nishad community — and ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Expressing deep concern, Mayawati said she had asked Nishad to resign but said the question of his arrest could arise only after the probe.

“It’s not known who fired at the police constable as 50-60 people were involved. How can a person be arrested without completion of the investigation?” Mayawati said. “I could have referred the investigation to the CBI but the agency has so far refused to take up most cases, including the Sashi murder case involving (another ex-BSP minister) Anand Sen,” she said.

She said a fresh probe had been ordered into the alleged rape of the girl from the Nishad community and a medical board would re-examine the girl.

For the family of the dead constable Krishnanand Rai, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 24 lakh. “If the family of the constable demands a government job, it will be provided.”

Mayawati, who had earlier summoned Jamuna Nishad, said he told her he had not entered the police station and had been asked by local residents to accompany them since their plea on the rape of the Nishad girl was not being heard.

“A case of rape was registered at Kotwali Maharajganj on May 26. From the medical examination and questioning of the girl, the rape charge emerged to be false. So the police converted it into a case of eve-teasing,” the CM said.

Jamuna Nishad is the third minister in the Mayawati government to be sacked for alleged involvement in a criminal case. There are 23 cases pending against Nishad but this is the first time he has been named in a murder case.

Earlier, Minister Anand Sen Yadav had to resign after he was named in the abduction and murder of Sashi, a Faizabad political activist.

Dr Raghunath Prasad Sankhwar, another Minister, also had to go after an FIR was lodged against him for alleged irregularities.