CM Adityanath Vows Swift Action In Lucknow Harassment Case After Video Goes Viral

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday announced stringent measures in response to an incident in Lucknow where a woman was groped by a group of people on a waterlogged street in the city. During the state assembly session on August 1, the chief minister announced that the government will take severe action against those responsible for the incident. During his address, Adityanath stated that the authorities would not simply “run a Sadbhavna train” for the accused but instead would expedite their punishment with a “bullet train.” This remark was directed at the individuals involved in the incident, identified as Pawan Yadav and Mohammad Arbaaz. Adityanath emphasised that women’s safety remains a top priority for his administration.

In response to the incident, four policemen were suspended on Thursday and three senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the area, were removed from their posts. Adityanath assured that measures are being taken to address the situation promptly and uphold justice. Adityanath’s directives led to the immediate removal of Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Prabal Pratap Singh, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Kumawat, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Anshu Jain of Gomtinagar due to their negligence. Additionally, all personnel at the Gomtinagar Police Station, including Station Head Deepak Kumar Pandey, Samtamulk Chowki Incharge Rishi Vivek, Inspector Kapil Kumar, Constable Dharamveer, and Constable Virendra Kumar, have been suspended.

A state government spokesperson announced that four individuals have been arrested so far in relation to the case, with reports filed against them under the relevant legal sections. The Crime Branch has been tasked with locating and apprehending the remaining suspects. Pawan Yadav and Sunil Kumar were apprehended late Wednesday night. Based on their information, two additional suspects, Arbaaz and Viraj Sahu, have also been arrested. Authorities are conducting ongoing raids to capture any remaining suspects.

Lucknow Police Commissioner Amarendra Kumar Sengar said that following heavy rains in Lucknow on Wednesday, waterlogging occurred near the underpass in the Gomtinagar police station area, close to the Taj Hotel. After receiving reports of individuals engaging in inappropriate behaviour with pedestrians in the underpass, a case was registered against the suspects at the Gomtinagar police station.

The police have filed charges against the suspects under sections 191(2), 3(5), 272, 285, and 74 of the Indian Penal Code, which include offenses related to outraging the dignity and modesty of a woman.