'Has a murder case ever been withdrawn before?'

A fast-track court in Greater Noida, while hearing arguments on the Uttar Pradesh government's request to withdraw the Mohammad Ikhlaq lynching case, asked on Friday whether a murder case had ever been withdrawn by the prosecution.

- Arun Singh

Mohd Ikhlaq's home in Dadri where he was lynched in 2015.

(HT)

"Has a Section 302 case ever been withdrawn?" additional district judge (fast-track court) Saurabh Dwivedi asked twice during proceedings, as both sides presented preliminary arguments on the state's withdrawal application filed on September 12.

Ikhlaq's lawyer sought time to file a formal objection to the government's plea. The court granted the request and listed the next hearing for December 18.

The brief hearing lasted only a few minutes. Assistant district government counsel (ADGC) Bhag Singh Bhati informed the court that the state had moved an application seeking to withdraw the case, prompting objection from Ikhlaq's counsel, Yusuf Saifi. Saifi said he would file a detailed opposition shortly.

When the judge again asked whether a murder charge had ever been withdrawn in this manner, Saifi responded, "Never."

The judge also noted that the eyewitness statements were pending. Saifi said the delays stemmed from the death of Ikhlaq's mother and other family circumstances, but assured the court that the remaining statements would be expedited. So far, only the statement of Ikhlaq's daughter Shaista has been recorded, while those of his wife Ikraman and son Danish are still awaited.