Uttar Pradesh Court Denies Withdrawal of Charges in Akhlaq Lynching Case

In a significant ruling, a court in Uttar Pradesh has denied the state government's request to withdraw charges against individuals accused of the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq. The judge has mandated daily hearings for the case, which has drawn national attention and sparked discussions on religious intolerance. The next hearing is set for January 6, as the case continues to unfold amidst ongoing debates about justice and accountability in such incidents. The court's decision underscores the importance of safeguarding evidence and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process in high-profile cases.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 18:41 IST

Court Ruling on Akhlaq Lynching Case

A court in Uttar Pradesh has dismissed a request from the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party government to drop all charges against individuals implicated in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq, as reported by a local news outlet.

Additional District Judge Saurabh Dwivedi classified the case as 'most important' and mandated that it be heard daily. The judge also instructed the government to communicate with law enforcement to ensure the preservation of evidence.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 6.

On September 28, 2015, 50-year-old Akhlaq was brutally lynched following allegations that he and his family had slaughtered a calf and consumed beef during Eid celebrations.

A forensic analysis conducted in May 2016 confirmed that the meat discovered in Akhlaq’s residence was from a cow or its offspring. Authorities stated that this finding did not lessen the gravity of the murder charge.

On October 15, the Uttar Pradesh government submitted a petition to the Upper Sessions Court in Gautam Buddha Nagar, seeking to withdraw all charges against the ten accused individuals.

Since 2017, all accused have been released on bail and are facing multiple charges, including murder and criminal intimidation.

The government’s application indicated that it had received written consent from the governor and reiterated that the meat was confirmed to be beef.

Prior to becoming chief minister, Yogi Adityanath had suggested that Akhlaq’s family should be charged with cow slaughter and lose the benefits they received following his death.

The lynching incident in September 2015 ignited widespread outrage and sparked discussions about religious intolerance in India.

At the time, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who was the chief minister, had offered Akhlaq’s family a compensation of Rs 20 lakh. The family relocated to Delhi shortly after the incident due to safety concerns.