Bulandshahr's BJP Netas Had Sought Slain Cop's Transfer, Warned of 'Brewing Anger' Among Hindus

The police inspector who was shot dead during mob violence in Bulandshahr had been at odds with local BJP leaders, who had also sought his transfer three months ago.

The BJP functionaries had written to Bulandshahr MP Bhola Singh on September 1, asking that he be shunted out because of his “high-handed” attitude and accusing him of creating hurdles in the way of Hindu religious functions, Times of India reported.

The party’s city general secretary Sanjay Shrotiya confirmed that the letter had been sent. It was signed by six BJP members, including former corporator Manoj Tyagi and local block pramukh Pramendra Yadav.

In the letter, the BJP members stated that the police officer was in the “habit of creating obstacles for Hindu religious functions”, because of which “anger is brewing in Hindu society”. It added that the SHO was not seriously tackling cases of cow theft and slaughter.

“Therefore, he and other local police officers should be transferred immediately and departmental action be initiated against them,” said the two-paragraph letter.

Shortiya told TOI that there were several cases of conflict between him and the BJP. “He was in the habit of throwing spanner in religious events because of which there was a resentment in the Hindu Samaj,” he said.

Former BJP corporator Manoj Tyagi, who had also signed the letter, confirmed, “We had asked for his transfer due to his high-handed attitude.”

Singh was killed during mob violence in Syana tehsil of Bulandshahr by a bullet to his head when he was trying to control the violent mob, which was triggered by an alleged case of cow slaughter.

BJP youth wing member, Shikhar Agarwal, who has been booked for the murder and violence along with 89 others, had released a video from an undisclosed location on Thursday morning in which he had claimed that Singh was corrupt and had threatened to shoot him down at the site of the incident.

"Everybody in the area knows how corrupt the SHO was. He had joined with the Muslim community and wanted to hurt Hindu sentiments. He had said that he will shoot me if I don't bury the carcasses in the fields or try to take it in front of people," he claimed.

Singh's family has also alleged a conspiracy in his death as he was the investigating officer in the Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case.