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Yogi Adityanath stressed that women's safety remains the top priority of his government.
In his speech, Adityanath said the authorities would not simply “run a Sadhavna train” for the accused, but would use a “bullet train” to expedite their punishment.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday announced stringent measures in response to an incident in Lucknow in which a woman was molested by a group of people on a waterlogged street in the city. At the state assembly meeting on August 1, the chief minister announced that the government would take strict action against those responsible for the incident. In his speech, Adityanath said the authorities would not simply “run a Sadhavna train” for the accused, but would use a “bullet train” to expedite their punishment. The remarks were directed at the individuals involved in the incident, namely Pawan Yadav and Mohammad Arbaaz. Adityanath stressed that women's safety remains his government's top priority.
In response to the incident, four policemen were suspended on Thursday and three senior police officers, including the district's deputy commissioner of police (DCP), were sacked. Adityanath assured that steps are being taken to resolve the issue quickly and uphold justice. Adityanath's directive led to Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Prabal Pratap Singh, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Kumarvat and Gomti Nagar Assistant Commissioner of Police Anshu ·Jia was summarily dismissed for negligence. Besides, all personnel of Gomtinagar police station, including station commander Deepak Kumar Pandey, Samtamulk Chowki in-charge Rishi Vivek, inspector Kapil Kumar, constable Dharamveer and constable Virendra Kumar, have been suspended.
A state government spokesman announced that four people have so far been arrested in connection with the case and reports have been lodged against them under the relevant legal authorities. The Crime Branch is tasked with finding and apprehending the remaining suspects. Pawan Yadav and Sunil Kumar were arrested late Wednesday night. Based on their information, two other suspects, Arbaaz and Viraj Sahu, have also been arrested. Authorities are conducting an ongoing search to capture any remaining suspects.
This violence is not part of Lucknow’s culture…! #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/L3JTd0bpvN
— Anamika Yadav (@AAnamika_) July 31, 2024
Lucknow Police Commissioner Amarendra Kumar Sengar said waterlogging occurred near the underpass of Gomti Nagar police station area near Taj Mahal Hotel as Lucknow received heavy rains on Wednesday. The Gomti Nagar police station registered a case against the suspect after receiving reports of someone misbehaving with pedestrians at an underpass.
The police charged the suspect under Sections 191(2), 3(5), 272, 285 and 74 of the Indian Penal Code, which include offenses related to offending a woman's dignity and modesty.
