4 Men Held in Bulandshahr Violence Prove Innocent, Police Say 'Yogesh Raj Deliberately Framed Them'

Lucknow: The investigation into Bulandshahr violence has taken a new turn after four men, who were arrested two weeks ago, were proven innocent in police probe. The four were named in the FIR filed by district Bajrang Dal convenor and main accused Yogesh Raj, triggering speculations of deliberate attempt to frame them over "personal enmity".

The apprehended men were identified as Sajid, Sarfuddin, Banne Khan and Asif, who were arrested on December 5 for alleged cow slaughter. Police said that they are now proceeding with formalities to release the men "wrongly named in the FIR".

"There was not find sufficient evidence against the four people who were earlier arrested for cow slaughter. Formalities are now underway under section 169 (release of accused when evidence deficient) of the CrPC," Bulandshahr City Superintendent of Police Atul Srivastava told News18.

He further said that the SIT and other teams were "constantly investigating the matter" and they have found that three other men were involved in cow slaughtering. "The police arrested Nadeem, Raees and Kala and recovered a gypsy, a double barrel gun, a meat chopper, some knives and a wooden block from their possession," Srivastava added.

The police claimed that the items recovered were allegedly used in the crime.

Meanwhile, the man accused in the case, Yogesh Raj is still absconding. He had earlier released a video from hiding, claiming innocence.

On December 3, over 400 people had indulged in violence after cow carcasses were found in a jungle near Bulandshahr. During the violence, inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a 20-year-old man died due to gunshot wounds. Singh and his team had gone to the area to tackle the mob when they came under attack.

Inspector Subodh was shot in the head. The mob, according to the police FIR, had men from right-wing Hindu outfits, who had also blocked policemen from taking him for treatment, resulting in his death. The police have booked 90 men over the incident. The suspects include members of the BJP Yuva Morcha, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.