| |
|---|
News Desk: The Supreme Court on Friday said it is not satisfied with the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which eight people were killed.
Dismayed at the state’s handling of the case, a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said the UP government did not proceed in the manner in which it should have since it was a case of “brutal murder”.
“What is the message you are sending …,” the top court asked the UP government over non-arrest of the accused.
It asked the state whether accused in other cases lodged under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code are treated the same way.
“If you see the FIR, section 302 is there. Is it the same way you treat other accused” the bench asked, while terming it as a “very serious charge”.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the state, admitted that what has been done by state is not satisfactory and remedial action will be taken soon.
The top court also rejected Salve’s recommendation that the case be handed over to the CBI, saying that a central probe is not a solution.
“You find out a better mode,” the bench told Salve.
The top court has posted the matter for hearing on October 20.
