CM Yogi’s ‘Bulldozer Action’ Targets Bakery Owned by Rape-Accused SP Leader in Ayodhya
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/3rd August 2024
In a decisive move reflecting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s stern stance against crime, a bakery owned by the main accused in the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya was demolished on Saturday. This ‘bulldozer action’ came just a day after the Chief Minister assured the victim’s mother of swift justice.
The demolition operation was executed under stringent police supervision, utilizing drone technology to ensure precision and safety. The bakery owner, Moid Khan, and his employee, Raju Khan, were apprehended from the Purakalandar area on July 30, shortly after the crime was uncovered. According to police reports, the duo had raped the girl two months prior and had recorded the heinous act. The crime came to light when a medical examination revealed the young girl’s pregnancy.
Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raj Karan Nayyar disclosed that the accused had filmed the assault and used the footage to blackmail and repeatedly abuse the victim. “Over two-and-a-half months, Khan continued to sexually abuse her, using the video to intimidate and threaten her. Khan committed these acts with the assistance of Raju, his employee,” Nayyar explained.
Following a meeting with the Chief Minister at his official residence in Lucknow, the victim’s mother shared her relief and hope for justice. She told the media, “CM has assured that there will be bulldozer action and exemplary punishment for the culprit.”
CM Yogi Adityanath reiterated his commitment to justice in a post on X, where he shared a picture of his meeting with the victim’s family, their faces blurred for privacy. “The culprits will not be spared at any cost, (and) strict action will be taken against them. We are committed to getting justice for the girl,” he posted in Hindi.
The administrative response to this case was swift and severe. Following the meeting with the victim’s family, the station house officer of Purakalandar police station, Ratan Sharma, and the Bhadarsa police outpost in charge, Akhilesh Gupta, were suspended. This move highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards negligence in handling such sensitive cases.
Speaking in the state assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister Adityanath also pointed out that Moid Khan was affiliated with the Samajwadi Party (SP), further politicizing the incident and drawing attention to the broader implications of crime and political associations in the region.
The demolition of the bakery is seen as a symbolic act of justice, reinforcing the message that heinous crimes, especially those involving minors, will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences. The use of drone technology in the demolition also underscores the administration’s commitment to modernizing law enforcement practices and ensuring that justice is served efficiently and effectively.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the safety of women and children in Uttar Pradesh and the need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable populations. The government’s proactive approach, including the demolition of properties belonging to accused individuals, is aimed at deterring future crimes and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
As the investigation continues, the community and the nation will be watching closely to see if the promises of swift justice and stringent punishment are upheld. The victim’s family, supported by the Chief Minister’s assurances, remains hopeful that justice will prevail, setting a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.