Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Uttar Pradesh Police is probing the case. Lakhimpur Two people have been arrested on Tuesday in the second case related to the alleged lynching of two locals in the Kheri violence that took place earlier this month. BJP Workers and drivers of Mahindra Thar vehicle owned by Union Minister Ajay Mishra.
This is the first arrest in the second FIR registered in connection with the violence, and three deaths, which occurred on October 3 after a convoy of SUVs, including a Mahindra Thar, ran over a group of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, in which Four were released. Farmer and journalist killed
The SIT arrested the farmer and Lakhimpur Kheri residents Gurvinder Singh (26) and Vichitra Singh (25) on Tuesday, police said in a media statement. Police said that both were produced in a local court, from where they were sent to judicial custody.
Sources said the names of Gurvinder and Vichitra came to the fore after the SIT released six photographs urging the public to identify the suspects. An official said those arrested can be seen purportedly in a video of the subsequent attack and arson.
A senior official said one of the accused was allegedly seen in a photograph wearing a T-shirt bearing the picture of slain Sikh terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The officer said that when asked about the T-shirt, the accused denied having any connection with Bhindranwale or being his follower. “The man claims that he got the T-shirt from a person and wore it. He claims that he is not aware of anything. We investigated and did not find anything serious,” said the official.
It is learned that the SIT has identified three more suspects in the case and will decide on the action based on the evidence.
Investigators are also trying to identify the suspects from the vehicles seen in the video and photographs of the incident. It is learned that the police have prepared a list containing the details of number plates of such vehicles and one with 25 registration numbers has been sent to Bareilly district for further information gathering.
The SIT has written to the police of Lakhimpur and neighboring districts, urging them to provide details of the vehicles, including the names of the owners and the possession of each vehicle.
So far 13 people have been arrested in the first case of killing of four farmers and journalist. These include Union Minister of State Mishra’s son Ashish, who has tested positive for dengue and is hospitalised.
On Tuesday, the police detained three accused Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra – Who was sent to three days’ custody till 29 October. According to the police, investigation found that the trio were at Mahindra Thar when the convoy allegedly ran over a group of farmers.
A senior SIT official told Indian Express That they are making all arrangements for the protection of witnesses. The SIT has identified 25 important witnesses and a letter has been sent to the concerned police officials to provide them security, the official said. These witnesses are from different districts including Lucknow, Bahraich and Bareilly.
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