The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has taken decisive action against Moid Khan, a Samajwadi Party leader and a close aide of Member of Parliament (MP) from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad. Moid is accused of raping a minor girl belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
The action comes after the victim’s parents met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressing their anguish and seeking justice.
The Yogi government has suspended the entire city’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Ratanlal Sharma and the in-charge of the Bada Chaurasi police station, Akhilesh Gupta, for their alleged negligence in registering the rape case promptly.
Additionally, an investigation has been ordered into the properties of Moid Khan, the main accused in the case.
On August 2, the Ayodhya administration sent bulldozers to raze the illegal bakery of the accused Moid where he committed the crime. Other properties of him are being scrutinized.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu organisation, alleging that Moid Khan has illegally occupied government lands and ponds and has also encroached upon the lands of several Dalit families.
Bajrang Dal has written to the District Magistrate demanding a high-level inquiry into Moid Khan’s properties and activities, as well as those of the station in-charge, Ratanlal Sharma.
According to the Hindu organisation, when the victim’s family tried to register a rape complaint, the police showed reluctance, and Moid Khan was allegedly protected by Ratanlal Sharma. It has also been claimed that for the last 12 years, the police station has been operating from Moid Khan’s property, highlighting a possible nexus between the police and the accused.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing the state assembly, described the accused as “the biggest stigma of society” and vowed to take the harshest action against them.
He criticised the Samajwadi Party for its alleged laxity in dealing with the accused, despite his serious crime. “This is a case of Ayodhya. The culprit is Moid Khan, a leader of the Samajwadi Party. He is a member of the team of the MP of Ayodhya. He has been found involved in the act of rape with a 12-year-old minor girl. So far, the Samajwadi Party has not taken any action against him. Now, should anyone not even speak the name of the Samajwadi Party?” said CM Yogi, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability.
The incident has raised questions about the Samajwadi Party’s handling of its members accused of serious crimes and the need for stronger measures to protect the rights of the vulnerable, particularly minors and those from marginalised communities.
