Among the latest arrested persons is the local veterinarian about whom dna had reported on December 4. Sources privy to investigation said that the veterinarian, identified as Arun Kumar, had affiliations with the local unit of Bhartiya Janata Party.
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday arrested five more persons who were allegedly part of the mob that lynched Mohamad Akhlaq in Dadri's Bisara village in September. The number of arrested persons in the case has now risen to 15 with police looking for four more accused who were named by Shaista and Danish, children of Akhlaq.
Among the latest arrested persons is the local veterinarian about whom dna had reported on December 4. Sources privy to investigation said that the veterinarian, identified as Arun Kumar, had affiliations with the local unit of Bhartiya Janata Party.
"The arrests were made today (on Monday). Name of the arrested persons are Arun, Hari, Ravin and Vinay," said Anurag Singh, circle officer Dadri. "The fifth is a juvenile,"he added. The number of juveniles allegedly involved in the murder has now risen to two.
When asked about the political affiliations of Arun, the officer said, "Finding political affiliations is not the focus of the investigation. We are arresting persons on the basis of their involvement in the crime," Singh said.
Laxmi Kant Bajpai, the state president of BJP Uttar Pradesh, when contacted by dna for a reaction said, "I am not aware of the latest development. I can only comment once I verify whether the said person has any affiliations with the party."
The 52-year-old Akhlaq was beaten to death by a mob on suspicions that his family had slaughtered a calf and consumed beef. Sources privy to the investigation had told dna Kumar had given his 'expert view' on whether the meat found by Vishal Rana, son a local BJP leader, was beef or mutton.
The veterinarian was shown the meat allegedly thrown by Akhlaq on the roadside on the night of September 28. The same group of people, allegedly led by Vishal and his cousin Shivam, went on to declare from a temple loudspeaker that a calf had been slaughtered. The group appealed to the residents to gather outside Akhlaq's home.
The FIR had named 10 persons who were arrested by the police in September and October. Another five people were also mentioned in the FIR as unknown suspects. While Shaista, named six more people in her statement to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Danish named another three accused taking the number of accused to 19.
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