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Uttar Pradesh seeks to withdraw charges in 2015 lynching of Muslim man
The family of Mohammad Akhlaq, a 50-year-old Muslim man beaten to death by a Hindu mob in 2015 over false beef consumption allegations, vows to continue their decade-long fight for justice after Uttar Pradesh authorities filed to drop all charges against the 18 accused.
The 2015 attack and its aftermath
Akhlaq was killed on 28 September 2015 in Dadri, a village 49 km from Delhi, after rumors spread that his family had stored and eaten beef-a claim they have consistently denied. Cows, considered sacred by Hindus, are protected under strict anti-slaughter laws in Uttar Pradesh and 19 other Indian states.
The assault, carried out with sticks, swords, and pistols, also left Akhlaq's 22-year-old son Danish severely injured. The incident, the first widely reported case of cow-related violence in India, triggered nationwide protests and criticism of then-Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed response. Some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were accused of justifying the attack, with one calling it an "accident" and another condemning beef consumption.
Legal proceedings and government intervention
Eighteen individuals were charged with offenses including murder and rioting, though all remain free on bail. In a recent court filing, Uttar Pradesh's BJP-led government argued that witness testimonies-including those from Akhlaq's family-contained "inconsistencies" in identifying the attackers. The application cited discrepancies in the number of accused named by Akhlaq's wife (10), daughter Shaista (16), and son Danish (19), despite all living in the same village.
The government's submission also noted that while police recovered sticks, iron rods, and bricks, no firearms or swords-mentioned in the family's complaint-were found. Additionally, it claimed beef was recovered from the scene, though Akhlaq's family insists the meat was mutton. A 2016 veterinary report supported their claim, identifying it as goat meat. The family still faces a pending case under cow slaughter laws, which their lawyer, Mohammad Yusuf Saifi, calls an attempt to "pressurize" them.
"The chaos and confusion during the attack made it understandable that witnesses couldn't identify everyone involved. The focus should be on the evidence against those named."
Mohammad Yusuf Saifi, family lawyer
Family's response and next steps
Akhlaq's younger brother, Jaan Mohammad, expressed shock at the government's move, calling it an attempt to "close off" their 10-year struggle. The family, who fled the village after the killing and have not returned, now fear for their safety.
"We never thought our fight would end like this. Will this not embolden the criminals?"
Jaan Mohammad, Akhlaq's brother
Mohammad recalled the night of the attack, when a mob stormed their home after a temple announcement accused the family of slaughtering a cow. The court is expected to rule on the government's withdrawal application on 12 December. Despite the setback, the family remains hopeful.
"I still have faith in the court. Justice will be done one day."
Jaan Mohammad
Broader context
The case underscores ongoing tensions over cow protection in India, where Hindus comprise 80% of the 1.2 billion population. Critics argue such laws have emboldened vigilante violence, particularly against Muslims and lower-caste Hindus. The 2015 lynching marked a turning point, drawing global attention to religious polarization in the world's largest democracy.
