Note: The following report was based on initial reports in the media. However, more details emerged after publishing of this report. The FIR in this case mentions that as per the complainant, when their house was demolished in presence of the officials, SDM Janeshwar called upon people to come and set the house on fire. As per the complaint, the fire was lit by Lekhpal Ashok Singh and the SDM had said that no one should remain alive. As per Shivam, he somehow managed to get out of the burning house but even then SHO Dinesh Gautam mercilessly beat him up along with his colleagues. As per the FIR, Shivam’s mother and sister could not come out of the burning house and were burnt alive.
On February 14, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government initiated action against the SDM, Lekhpal and police officials over the death of mother and daughter during a demolition drive in the village Madauli under the Rural Police Station area, district Kanpur. As per reports, the mother and daughter immolated themselves during the demolition drive on February 13.
कानपुर वाली घटना पर बाबा जी ने दोषी अधिकारियों पर सख़्त से सख़्त कार्यवाही के दिए आदेश।
— Sagar Kumar “Sudarshan News” (@KumaarSaagar) February 14, 2023
SDM और लेखपाल समेत 12 पर नामज़द व 15 अज्ञात पर FIR दर्ज..!! pic.twitter.com/nEGwcBaKl0
An FIR under Sections 302, 307, 436, 429, 323, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at Rura Police Station, district Kanpur Dehat against Ashok Dikshit, Anil Dikshit, Nirmal Dikshit, Vishal, JCB driver Deepak, SDM Maitha Gyaneshwar, Kanoongo, Lekhpal Ashok Singh, SO Dinesh Kumar, 10-12 unnamed, and 12-15 police officials.
Mother and daughter immolated themselves
As per reports, 45-year-old Pramila Dikshit and her 20-year-old daughter Neha died in the incident. The district administration, revenue officials and police had gone to the village Madauli in the Rura area to remove encroachment on ‘Gram Samaj’ land. Reports suggest that some of the villagers had filed multiple complaints against one Krishna Gopal Dixit’s family, alleging they encroached on the ‘Gram Samaj’ land.
जनपद कानपुर देहात में हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना के वीडियो में महिला दरवाजा बंद करती दिख रही है। पुलिस तो दरवाजा खोलवाने का प्रयास कर रही है।
— Arun Yadav 🇮🇳 (@beingarun28) February 14, 2023
भूमि अधिग्रहण के इस मामले की जांच में सहयोग करें। भ्रम न फैलाएं। निष्पक्षता के साथ मामले में कार्रवाई हो रही है। pic.twitter.com/e9BsYQoOZm
Krishna Gopal Dixit’s wife Pramila repeatedly warned the officials to back off or else she would take extreme steps. However, the police and administration did not pay heed and continued the demolition drive. A video of her warning the police has gone viral on social media.
#adgzonekanpur आलोक सिंह द्वारा जनपद कानपुर देहात के थाना रूरा क्षेत्रान्तर्गत घटित घटना के सम्बन्ध में तत्काल मौके पर जाकर घटनास्थल का निरीक्षण किया गया तथा मृतका के परिजनों से वार्ता कर प्रकरण में निष्पक्ष जांच कराकर दोषियों के विरूद्ध कठोर कार्यवाही कराने का आश्वासन दिया गया। pic.twitter.com/RafqZI9PCI
— ADG ZONE KANPUR (@adgzonekanpur) February 13, 2023
Soon after, she immolated herself. The police officials and her husband rushed to save her, but by that time, the burning roof made out of straw had fallen on the victims. Dixit and SHO Dinesh Gautam sustained burn injuries as they tried to save the duo.
#Kanpurdehatpolice थाना रुरा क्षेत्र में हुई घटना के सम्बन्ध में पुलिस अधीक्षक कानपुर देहात द्वारा दी गयी बाइट। pic.twitter.com/mhk3KZpG42
— Kanpur Dehat Police (@kanpurdehatpol) February 13, 2023
In a statement, Kanpur Dehat Police stated that there were complaints of land encroachment at the place. SDM Metha led the team to remove encroachment when the incident happened. Based on the family’s son Shivam Dikshit’s complaint, an FIR under Sections 302, 307, 436, 323 and 34 has been filed against Ashok Dikshit, Anil Dikshit, Nirmal Dikshit, and others. Investigation in the matter is underway.”
#kanpurdehatpolice#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/ZXM2U7bQwY
— Kanpur Dehat Police (@kanpurdehatpol) February 14, 2023
Following the incident, some officials ran from the scene. The aggrieved family members allegedly attacked the officials and pelted stones at the police, after which the team members fled the spot. Additional Director General of Police Alok Singh and Divisional Commissioner Raj Shekhar visited the village and promised strict action against the accused. The family members of the victims have demanded FIR against SDM, Lekhpal and others.
As per the latest reports, the driver of the JCB, the Lekhpal and the SDM have been arrested in the case.
