Akhilesh Yadav should step down as UP Home Minister: BJP

The party also sought a high level probe the high court's supervision in the shocking incident of burning a woman in Barabanki

Continuing its attack on the Uttar Pradesh government, BJP today demanded resignation of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from the post of Home Minister and sought a high-level probe under the high court's supervision in the shocking incident of burning a woman in Barabanki.

"No action in such a sensitive matter after over a week shows apathetic attitude of the state government. CM Akhilesh Yadav should resign from the post of Home Minister, as this ministry is his last priority," BJP MP Ashwani Chaubey told reporters here.

He alleged that there is "jungle raj" in the state and it has "left behind Bihar" in such matters.

Party chief Amit Shah has formed a four-member fact- finding committee to look into "rising incidents" of atrocities, especially against women.

Chaubey is the convener of the panel, which also comprises M J Akbar, Arjun Meghwal and Meenakshi Lekhi. He had yesterday visited Barabanki to know the ground reality of the incident that took place at Kothi Police station on July 6.

The visuals of the woman, mother of a journalist, went viral on the electronic media as the incident took place barely a month after journalist Jagendra Singh was allegedly set on fire by UP police in Shahjahanpur district.

The woman victim, whose son is associated with a local Hindi daily, in her statement before a magistrate and media had alleged, she was "abused and humiliated" when she had refused to meet the demand of Rs one lakh for freeing her husband.

"The committee also demands that a high-level probe under the supervision of the high court be conducted into this shocking incident in Barabanki," Chaubey said.

He added that the committee would submit its report to party president Amit Shah and they also demanded arrest of in-charge of Koti police station on the basis of dying declaration of the woman.

He said their committee was not satisfied with District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Superintendent of Police Abdul Hamid's statements and sought justice for the woman.