Order CBI probe in Kanpur businessman murder, demands opposition in UP; Yogi warns cops of dismissal

Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry or a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the death of a Kanpur businessman who allegedly died after being thrashed by police in Gorakhpur.

Manish Gupta (36) died in a Gorakhpur hotel during a police raid late Monday night, prompting authorities to suspend six policemen and book them on the charge of murder.

Gupta was staying along with two friends at the hotel.

"Justice is not possible till a high court-monitored inquiry by a sitting judge is not ordered," Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who met Gupta's family in Kanpur, said, citing that the family has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

BSP Supremo Mayawati in a tweet also demanded a CBI probe in view of the seriousness of the case.

Following the incident, police denied the charge and said Gupta succumbed to a head injury he received after falling on the ground in a drunken state in the hotel room.

Yadav told media that an impartial inquiry is not possible in Gorakhpur and demanded that the case be transferred to Kanpur and security extended to the family.

He said police are not doing the job assigned to them, and their conduct has been unprecedented in the Yogi Adityanath government.

Yadav demanded an ex-gratia Rs 2 crore for the family, and extended to it Rs 20 lakh on behalf of his party. He also demanded a class II government job to Gupta's wife.

The Samajwadi Party leader assured the family that his party will help it with the legal proceedings.

Yadav, a former chief minister of the state, lambasted the government for failing to take action against police and other officials.

"This is the outcome when the district magistrate and superintendent of police are made to do wrong work," he said.

Yadav said that the family will get justice the day the case is sent to a fast-track court.

Mayawati, also a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, termed the conduct of officials in charge of the probe grossly unfair .

"The attempt by the UP police of the CM's home district Gorakhpur to save the policemen who were prima facie guilty of vandalism in the hotel is grossly unfair. Considering the seriousness of the matter and the agony being faced by the family, a CBI inquiry in the matter is necessary," she tweeted.

"Not registering a case of murder against the accused policemen first and then not arresting them despite registering a case due to public outrage, raises serious questions on both the policy and intention of the government," Mayawati said.

The government should give justice, proper financial help and a government job, this is the demand of the BSP, she added.

Hitting out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Congress national spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed said, "The wife of the businessman who was killed in Gorakhpur police raid alleges he was murdered and a cover-up is being done. A video of cops trying to convince the family not to go ahead with the case has also come out. Is this alleged cover-up being done on Yogi Adityanath's orders!"

Quoting the deceased's brother, India Today has reported that Manish Gupta, who worked in a private bank, had joined the BJP four months ago.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said illegal activities by police personnel are not acceptable and warned that those found involved in "very serious offences" will be dismissed.

At a meeting with senior officials, the CM said in the recent past, there have been complaints of some police personnel indulging in illegal activities, according to a statement.

There should be no place for such people in the Police Department and action will be taken against them as per rules, Adityanath said, asking officials to identify such people and provide a list with proof

Police personnel found involved in "very serious offences" should be dismissed, he said, stressing that people with tainted image should not be given important postings.

With PTI inputs