UP Court Dismisses Government Bid to Drop Charges in Akhlaq Lynching Case

In Shorts

• UP fast-track court rejects government plea to drop charges in the Akhlaq lynching case.
• Judge orders trial to proceed with daily hearings and protection of evidence.
• Next hearing scheduled for January 6, 2026.

In a key development in the 2015 Akhlaq lynching case, a fast-track court in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar has refused to accept the state government’s application to withdraw all charges against the accused. The court described the plea as lacking any substantial legal basis and insisted that the judicial process must continue.

Additional District Judge Saurabh Dwivedi presided over the hearing and dismissed the government’s request under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The ruling emphasized that the prosecution’s application did not present sufficient grounds to halt ongoing proceedings.

The court directed that the trial be fast-tracked with hearings held daily. It also ordered authorities to ensure the safety of evidence and to prioritise recording testimony from witnesses at the earliest possible date. This order reflects the judiciary’s intention to maintain momentum in what has been a protracted and sensitive legal battle.

The next session of the trial is slated for early January 2026, extending the courtroom spotlight on a case that has remained in the public eye for over a decade.

The incident dates back to September 28, 2015, when Mohammad Akhlaq was attacked by a mob in the village of Bisahda near Dadri following rumours that he had stored and consumed beef. The brutal assault claimed Akhlaq’s life while leaving his son seriously injured, and it fueled widespread national debate on mob violence and communal tensions.

Earlier this year, the Uttar Pradesh government had sought to withdraw the prosecution, citing alleged inconsistencies in witness statements and other procedural issues. However, the court’s current decision reaffirms the judiciary’s role in ensuring that serious crimes are fully examined through due process without premature termination of the charges.