Akhilesh Yadav Alleges ‘Pattern of Fake Encounters’ Under BJP Rule: Accuses BJP of Staging Incidents

Akhilesh Yadav Alleges ‘Pattern of Fake Encounters’ Under BJP Rule: Accuses BJP of Staging Incidents

In a vitriolic attack, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh of orchestrating fake encounters and manipulating the justice system. His remarks have come amid controversy over the recent death of Mangesh Yadav, a key suspect in a high-profile robbery case.

In a strongly-worded Facebook post on X, Yadav assailed the BJP’s handling of police encounters, claiming a ‘deliberate pattern of staging’ such incidents. Further, he claimed, the BJP selects targets, fabricates stories, and then pressures the victims’ families into silence in an effort to perpetuate media propaganda to substantiate their claims.

The killing of Mangesh Yadav, who was wanted for a ₹1.5-crore robbery at a jewellery shop in Sultanpur, lies at the heart of the controversy.

Yadav had conducted the heist in Thatheri Bazaar along with four others for which a reward of ₹1 lakh had been declared against him.

Police claimed that Yadav was killed in an encounter in retaliation early on Thursday morning by a team led by its STF men in Sultanpur.

As per Additional Director General, Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, Yadav had cases of loot and theft registered against him in Jaunpur, Sultanpur, and Pratapgarh between 2021 and 2024.

At the same time, Akhilesh Yadav termed the encounter a “farzi” encounter, which could “hide police misdeeds and divert attention from genuine issues.” He blamed the BJP for using fake narrative and media management to validate such encounters.

Yadav further alleged that the BJP uses lower-rung politicians to defend these while saving top leaders. As soon as public discontent rises, the government orders inquiries at a superficial level to bury the issue.

Meanwhile, making more noise, former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur also raised questions on the genuity of the encounter.

Amitabh Thakur shared a photo of a senior police officer in slippers while the encounter was carried out and asked what kind of high-speed chase he would be able to accomplish.

In response, Additional Director General of Police Prashant Kumar led the counter-charge by asserting that police act impartially and do not indulge in casteist actions.

Kumar justified the police action and said they were committed to maintaining order in an unbiased manner.

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The encounter in Sultanpur was part of the general trend of increased police action against criminals in Uttar Pradesh.

However, considering the encounters as a success by the BJP government, opposition parties and critics have shown discontent over the growing number of extrajudicial killings.