Police Custody Death Mystery in Lucknow: Opposition Demands Accountability as Mohit Pandey’s Family Cries Foul, Akhilesh Yadav Questions "Bulldozer Justice"
The recent death of Mohit Pandey in police custody in Lucknow’s Chinhat police station has ignited intense political debate and opposition outrage. With accusations of brutality and negligence, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has raised questions about the lack of accountability, suggesting “bulldozer justice” for those responsible. Other opposition figures, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mayawati, have also condemned the incident as emblematic of “Jungle Raj” in Uttar Pradesh. As the family seeks justice, the police maintain that the cause of death remains uncertain, but they have filed an FIR against the concerned officers. This incident marks the second custodial death in Lucknow in just over two weeks, amplifying public demand for reform and justice.
INDC Network : Uttar Pradesh : The death of Mohit Pandey while in police custody at Lucknow’s Chinhat police station has raised significant questions about police accountability, procedural integrity, and the state’s law and order situation. As public anger mounts, the incident has prompted fierce criticism from opposition leaders, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav leading the charge by demanding answers for Pandey's death. Yadav has notably questioned whether “bulldozer justice” – a term used to describe swift action and accountability – will be enforced against the police officers involved in this tragic incident.
Akhilesh Yadav took to social media, expressing his dismay over the incident. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), he criticized the police’s actions, saying, “I wish those who take life could also give life in compensation. Those who have extinguished the lamp of someone's house on Diwali should not try to brighten their lies." Yadav further emphasized that the public demands to know if there will be strict consequences for the custodial death, a statement that underscores his call for accountability and transparency.
This incident has prompted swift reactions from other opposition leaders as well. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Yogi government, calling the situation “Jungle Raj,” while Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati expressed sorrow over the custodial death and demanded justice for Pandey’s family. Both leaders have echoed calls for stricter regulations on custodial procedures to ensure incidents like this are not repeated.
According to official statements, the cause of Mohit Pandey’s death could not be determined from the initial post-mortem, leading to the preservation of the viscera for further examination. However, Pandey’s family claims that he was beaten to death by police officers, an allegation that has fueled widespread protests. In response to the outcry, Chinhat Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Ashwini Chaturvedi was immediately suspended, and an FIR was lodged against him and other involved officers, citing murder and criminal conspiracy charges.
This case marks the second instance of a custodial death in Lucknow within the last 16 days, adding to the growing concerns over police accountability in the state. Opposition leaders have insisted on naming the police custody rooms as “Atyachaar Grih” (House of Torture) as a way to highlight alleged misconduct and call for stronger reforms in the handling of detainees.
The family of Mohit Pandey recently met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressing their grief and demanding that justice be served. While the state government has yet to make a detailed public statement, the police assure that an investigation is underway. However, the opposition remains skeptical, questioning whether meaningful action will follow in light of prior incidents and urging authorities to prioritize both the safety of detainees and public accountability.
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