How many people were behind the attack on Swiss couple? Police itself not sure

How many people actually attacked the Swiss couple in Fatehpur Sikri last weekend – three, four or five? As the Uttar Pradesh Police seems to be clueless, and the way it has tackled the issue is a clear indication that it is trying to play down the incident.

The Swiss couple, Quentin Jeremy Clerc, 24, and his girlfriend Marie Droz, also 24, who belong to Lausanne in Switzerland were beaten up on October 22 when they opposed being stalked by ruffians, who also tried to take selfie with Marie. The UP Police did not have an inkling about the incident despite claiming that an FIR was lodged and it only woke up when media highlighted the issue and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj sought a report from UP Government regarding this.

This all happened on Thursday and, in 12 hours starting from 10 in the morning to 10 at night, UP Police looked confused not knowing as to how many people actually attacked the Swiss couple. It changed its version thrice, about an attack that had taken place five days before.

The ADG of Uttar Pradesh, Chandar Prakash, told reporters that four persons were involved in the attack. Principal Secretary (Home) issued a press release quoting SSP Agra that three persons were involved in the attack, but at night Bhagwan Swaroop, Secretary (Home), clarified through a WhatsApp message that five persons were behind this attack, out of which three were minors.

Different versions from officials about basic information as to how many people had actually attacked the Swiss couple or had committed the crime raised a big question mark over the sincerity of Uttar Pradesh Police to solve the case. Whereas by reading a report published in The Times of India ,one gets an impression that there was a mob who attacked the Swiss couple and then there were many who were busy clicking pictures while they lied injured on the ground.

The cops, fumbling with the number of attackers, could be linked to the local body elections whose notification was announced on Friday. The civic elections are a matter of pride for the BJP. A senior police official told this reporter that the administration didn’t want to antagonise the local residents, therefore, it is cleverly picking up the attackers. “This issue would have been brushed under the carpet had this not involved foreigners and Centre not asked for a report,” the official said.