Akhlaq’s family’s heart-wrenching question in the court – ‘Is it a small crime to beat someone to death with a stick?’ Emotional argument given on the application for withdrawal of the case

The court will hear the arguments of both the parties on December 23 on the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to withdraw the case against the accused in the 2015 mob lynching case of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Noida. A lawyer associated with the case said that the Surajpur fast-track court of Gautam Buddha Nagar district has fixed this date for Thursday. Let us tell you, after the rumor spread that beef was kept in Akhlaq’s house, a mob attacked his house in Bishara and beat him to death with sticks.

The state government has sought permission from the court to withdraw the case against all the accused in connection with the lynching of Akhlaq in Jarcha police station area of ​​Greater Noida. This incident happened 10 years ago and had sparked anger across the country. The family members have filed a petition in Allahabad High Court against this step of the government, they asked whether murder with sticks is a small crime?

Both parties will appear before the court on December 23.

This matter came up in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge on Thursday, where the petition to withdraw the case was heard. Akhlaq’s family lawyer Yusuf Saifi said that the court has asked both the parties to present their views on December 23. Saifi further said, “The court has fixed December 23 to hear the arguments on the application to withdraw the case. Both the parties have been directed to present their views on that date.”

According to the lawyer, the prosecution had applied to the court to withdraw the pending case. This application was filed by the Assistant District Government Advocate (Criminal) on the instructions of the State Government and the Joint Director of Prosecution. According to the officials, it has been said in the application that in the interest of maintaining social harmony, a demand has been made to withdraw the case.

What did the family say on the return petition?

Last month, the government withdrawal petition filed by Additional District Government Pleader Bhag Singh Bhati had claimed that withdrawal of the case would help in restoring communal harmony. It cited the lack of weapons during the attack, no past enmity between the parties and a disputed forensic report. In which it was said that the meat found in Akhlaq’s house was that of a cow or its calf.

It was also said in the petition that till now the statement of only one main witness has been recorded. Akhlaq’s family expressed strong objection on these grounds. His objection petition raised the question whether killing a man by beating him with sticks could be considered a minor crime and challenged the claim that withdrawing the case would promote harmony. Family lawyer Saifi said, “Once the FIR is registered, the charge sheet is filed and charges are framed. The prosecution has already presented its evidence and the statement of Akhlaq’s daughter Shaista has been recorded. Two key witnesses – Akhlaq’s son Danish and his wife Ikerman are yet to testify.”

Decision after the order of Uttar Pradesh government

Officials said that the decision to go to court was taken after a government order issued by Justice Section-5 (Criminal) of Uttar Pradesh Government in Lucknow on August 26, 2025. Let us tell you, Akhlaq was attacked and killed by a mob at his house in Bishara in September 2015, on the rumor that beef was kept there. This incident sparked a national debate on mob violence and communal tension.