Uttar Pradesh sets up judicial panel to probe Mathura violence

Facing flak for the inept handling of an anti-encroachment drive in Mathura by civil and police officials, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday ordered a judicial probe into the Jawaharbagh violence in the town.

A one-man commission headed by the Allahabad High Court's retired Justice Mirza Imtiaz Murtaza has been set up following the decision, an official spokesman said.

With the judicial probe, the ongoing investigation by the Aligarh District Commissioner into the Mathura violence has been scrapped.

The judicial commission, which will have its headquarters at Lucknow, has been asked to complete the probe vis-a-vis six broad points within two months and submit its findings to the state government.

The commission will probe the reasons and circumstances leading to the violence in which 29 people, including two police officers, died.

The panel will also look into the role of police and administrative officials and intelligence-gathering prior to the eviction of members of Swadheen Bharat Vidhik Satyagrahi from the public park in Mathura.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the Mathura violence.

The judicial commission will also look into all aspects, including preparedness of the district administration to ensure no untoward incident took place while clearing encroachment at Jawaharbagh park.

The commission has also been tasked with suggesting ways to ensure such incidents are not repeated in future.

--IANS

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