Kanpur Law And Order Tests Yogi Adityanath’s Patience, He Goes For Churning In Police Administration; May Further Tighten Screws

Upset over the recent events that have propped up a challenge to his grip on the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to go for strict moves and a churning in the state police administration.

The murder of Sanjeet Yadav, a lab technician in Kanpur; the murder of Ghaziabad-based journalist Vikram Joshi (shot in the head by some assailants and later succumbed to injuries); the entire set of events surrounding gangster Vikas Dubey, are among reasons and events that have made Adityanath upset.

As a result, Kanpur has come to special focus before Adityanath.

Known for his stern and strict stance on law and order in UP, Adityanath, who is fighting the Covid-19 situation in the state with the core team of 11 dedicated officials, has expressed his displeasure on the law and order situation.

The law and order situation in the state seems to have put a question mark on the role of sections of the police force in the state.

On 24 July, Adityanath suspended IPS officer Aparna Gupta and Deputy SP Manoj Gupta.

They were suspended, reportedly, for their "questionable role" in the kidnapping of Kanpur-based lab technician and the subsequent murder of Sanjeet Yadav.

The case also involves ransom.

In Kanpur, Yadav, who worked at a local pathology lab, was kidnapped on 22 June. Reportedly, the family was asked to pay Rs 30 lakh in ransom.

Chaman Singh, the man's father, lodged a complaint; an FIR was registered. Singh later told the local press that "the police said that they are clueless about the whereabouts of the kidnappers as well as my son."

The ransom was reportedly with the absconding kidnappers.

The police claimed that he was murdered on 26-27 June by his friends.

An official statement said: "The state government after going through the matter has suspended ASP-South Aparna Gupta and then Circle Officer Manoj Kumar Gupta for their alleged laxity in probing the Kanpur kidnapping case."

There were reports of Former SHO Barra Ranjit Rai and in-charge of the outpost Rajesh Kumar getting suspended by Kanpur's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

ABP has reported that Adityanath is particularly upset with Kanpur IG Mohit Agarwal, other officers, their work culture and the impact it has had on his mission to fight criminal activity, crime and criminals in the state.

The murder of Sanjeet Yadav is being described as a "kalank" (blot) on the police by sections of the media.

Adityanath, maintaining his hard stance on the shielding of criminals in the state has that those shielding them "must not hinder the government's steps to curb crimes."

The Republic website has quoted him saying:

It is the government's duty to let gangsters meet their ultimate fate. Those who will misbehave with women in the state will meet their fate. Those who are shielding these criminals should not get irritated with our steps towards criminals.

Adityanath has also attacked those who "are bringing the religion factor" in the matters of state.

It has been reported earlier today that efforts are on to trace Sanjeet Yadav's bike and mobile. They have been missing since he was kidnapped.

Kanpur IG Mohit Agarwal has been quoted as saying, "Agarwal has told the Times of India the family has been claiming ransom was paid to kidnappers, but no money exchanged hands. We are probing the case from all angles."

The Adityanath government is facing attacks from Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, which is once again trying to enter the state's electoral ground.