Bulandshahr Violence: 7 Accused Out on Bail, Receive Heroic Welcome, Chant Jai Shri Ram

In the Bulandshahr violence case, that led to the murder of police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh on December 3, 2018, seven accused of killing Singh got bail on the night of August 24, 2019.

On Saturday night, when the accused stepped out from the district jail, they received a heroic welcome by their supporters and chanted slogans of Jai Shri Ram, Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Matram. The accused released on bail are Jeetu Fauji, Shikhar Agarwal, Upendra Singh Raghav, Hemu, Saurav, and Rohit.

One of the accused who got bail could not be released reportedly due to some discrepancy in paperwork.

In a video, which has been doing rounds on social media platforms, one of the key accused, Shikhar Agarwal, a member of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Jeetu Fauji can be seen being garlanded by supporters who were excited to get pictures and selfies clicked with both of them.

Also read: Bulandshahr Violence: Accused Made Several Calls Before Top Cop’s Killing, Says Chargesheet

Shrey Singh, son of the slain police inspector, told NewsClick, "We are not happy with the judgement. I do not think these accused who incited violence should come out of jail. The reason behind this bail is beyond my understanding. They have committed a heinous crime and few months after staying in jail, they have walked out on bail. Of course their confidence will increase and their morale will get a boost. The case should have been handled strictly so that it can set an example for fringe elements and history sheeters."

“Now that they are out from jail and will roam openly, our life is in danger. We demand that our security should be increased, or they should be kept behind bars," he added.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bulandshahr, Santosh Kumar Singh said that those who were released on bail were not arrested for serious offences. “They were booked for rioting and not murder,” he said.

“A total of 10 people have been granted bail out of which seven were released. The accused granted bail were booked for rioting. None of the accused booked for murder have been granted bail,” he told the media.

THE INCIDENT

Police inspector Subodh Kumar and a local youth named Sumit were killed in Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh on December 3, 2018, when a mob went on a rampage over allegations of illegal cow slaughter.

Sedition charges were slapped on 44 people who were accused of instigating violence in Chingravathi area of Bulandshahr, which claimed two lives, including that of a cop. As many as 44 people were sent to the jail, while six have got bail nearly after eight months of the violence.

The violence had erupted in the city after carcasses of around 25 cattle were found in the forests close to a police station. Residents had alleged the carcasses were of cows, slaughtered illegally.

Also watch: The Truth Behind Bulandshahr Violence, Explains Urmilesh

Commenting on the heroic welcome that the accused received, UP Congress vice-president Omkar Nath Singh told NewsClick, "They were garlanded and given a warm welcome like they have won a war. Unfortunately, the BJP(Bharatiya Janata Party) government is promoting such people. If this will continue then such anti-social elements will get encouragement and commit more such crimes with impunity.”

This is not the first incident when a accused of a criminal offence has been garlanded and received a hero’s welcome. Earlier in July 2018, former Union Minister Jayant Sinha had garlanded convicts of Ramgarh lynching who were released on bail.