26 January 2018. It was morning time. In Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad workers were taking out the Tiranga Yatra after the flag hoisting. Crowds of people riding bikes were passing through different roads of the city. Meanwhile, the procession reached near the gate of Government Girls Inter College situated on Tehsil Road. A group of some boys standing there stopped the procession midway. Started refusing them to move ahead.
ABP worker Chandan Gupta, who was involved in the Tiranga Yatra, protested against the group which was stopping him from moving forward. The situation soon became serious after an altercation between the two parties. Stone pelting started from the side that stopped the procession. The other side also protested strongly. Meanwhile, one of the accused Salim shot Chandan. He was seriously injured. He was immediately taken to the district hospital, but by then he had died.
The court’s decision has come six years after this heinous massacre, in which 28 culprits have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Their names are Azizuddin, Munajir, Asif, Aslam, Shabab, Saqib, Aamir Rafi, Salim, Wasim, Naseem, Bablu, Akram, Taufiq, Mohsin, Rahat, Salman, Asif, Nishu, Wasif, Imran, Shamshad, Zafar, Shakir, Khalid. Parvez, Faizan, Imran, Shakir, and Zahid. The court had acquitted two accused Nasruddin and Asim Qureshi.
Chandan’s family will appeal in the High Court for hanging
After the court’s decision, Chandan Gupta’s family has expressed satisfaction, but has vowed to continue their fight, demanding strict punishment for the culprits. Chandan’s brother Vivek Gupta said that his fight is not over. They will approach the High Court demanding death penalty for the culprits. Vivek said, “My brother was brutally murdered in our own country and today the honorable court has sentenced the culprits to life imprisonment.”
Strict punishment including life imprisonment to all the culprits
He said, “We are satisfied with this decision, but will also appeal in the High Court demanding death penalty for the main accused.” We will also appeal in the court to get those two accused punished.” District government advocate Manoj Kumar Tripathi, who represented the government in this case, said that in the verdict, all the culprits have been given harsh punishment including life imprisonment. An additional three years’ imprisonment has been given for insulting the tricolor.
Appeal in High Court against acquitted accused
Manoj Tripathi said, “We will analyze the verdict and appeal against the acquitted accused in the High Court.” Reacting to the court’s decision, Uttar Pradesh minister and BJP leader Dayashankar Singh has praised the government’s efforts in punishing the culprits. He said, “Chandan Gupta’s family demanded justice and the government conducted a thorough investigation of the case. Solid evidence was presented in the court. As a result, the court has given this verdict swiftly.”
‘UP government’s commitment to take swift action against criminals’
BJP spokesperson Sameer Singh said that the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given priority to justice in heinous crimes. The Kasganj case is one of many such incidents where the state government has ensured timely justice through efficient police and administrative action. This shows the government’s commitment to take swift action against criminals in these cases. The government will provide full support to the family in getting justice.
Chandan’s family received threats, lured them with money
Chandan Gupta’s father Sushil Gupta said, “Today my son’s soul must have found peace.” He told that he had also received threats during the prosecution of the case. Pressure was created to withdraw the case and compromise. Not only this, the family was also offered money in exchange for withdrawing the case. But the family did not succumb to any temptation and fear. We have defended ourselves strongly in the court. In future also we will work to provide strict punishment to the culprits.