SC directs IGP of Meerut range to supervise probe in Hapur lynching case

The Supreme Court Wednesday directed the Inspector General of Police of Meerut range to supervise the investigation in the Hapur lynching case.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud was informed by the Uttar Pradesh government that it has transferred the SHO concerned and filed appeals seeking cancellation of bails granted to the accused in the case.

"It is directed that the investigation shall be carried out under the supervision of IGP of Meerut range," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing after two weeks.

Advocate Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the top court that the police had taken swift and instant action at the time of the incident and the investigation in the case will be completed in 60 days.

On August 13, the apex court had directed a senior Uttar Pradesh Police officer to probe the Hapur lynching case in which one person was killed and another brutally assaulted in the name of cow vigilantism, while terming the allegations of survivor Samiuddin as "serious".

It had also directed the IGP to "facilitate the recording" of victim's statement before a judicial magistrate regarding the incident in which 45-year-old Qasim Qureishi was beaten to death on June 18.

"In the meantime, the IGP, Meerut (Range) shall submit a report with regard to the incident in question. We have so directed keeping in view the serious allegations/ assertions made in the writ petition," the bench said.

The plea had sought setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure "an impartial, competent and fair investigation" into "the barbaric incident of mob lynching on June 18 in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh, wherein Samiuddin (the petitioner No. 1) and Qasim, both belonging to the minority community, were targeted and mercilessly assaulted by a mob of the majority community from the neighbouring village, in the name of cow vigilantism."