Operation Mahakal Investigation Takes Surprising Turn
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Kanpur has delivered a significant development in the high-profile Operation Mahakal cases, clearing jailed lawyer Akhilesh Dubey in 37 out of 47 complaints filed against him. The investigation revealed that the majority of allegations lacked substantial evidence, marking a surprising twist in what was considered a major crackdown on organized crime and extortion networks.
The Investigation Findings
On Thursday, Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal publicly shared the detailed investigation report, confirming that 37 complaints were found to be false after thorough examination. However, the SIT identified 10 cases that showed credible evidence, prompting orders for immediate re-investigation. Among these ten cases, six directly implicated Akhilesh Dubey, while four involved allegations against his close associates.
The Operation Mahakal campaign was originally initiated by the previous police commissioner with the specific objective of encouraging victims to report serious crimes including land grabbing, extortion demands, and false case filings. The campaign gained momentum after Dubey was accused of framing BJP leader Ravi Satija of Juhi Kalan in Barra in a fabricated rape case and demanding an enormous Rs 50 lakh as extortion money.
According to the allegations, Dubey along with his associate Lavi Mishra and others had systematically demanded money by falsely implicating people in serious criminal cases including rape and violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The SIT probe eventually confirmed these specific allegations, leading to Dubey's arrest in August along with his associates.
Police Negligence and Ongoing Investigations
Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal made a significant admission during his statement, acknowledging that some cases showed clear police negligence during the initial investigations. He emphasized that re-investigations are currently underway and noted that many complainants already have related cases pending in various courts.
The police commissioner provided additional details about the ongoing investigative process, revealing that in six specific cases, the SIT has received explicit directions to collect comprehensive evidence including digital evidence, witness statements, call detail records, and other material evidence. This thorough evidence collection process could potentially lead to new case registrations as the investigation progresses.
The Rise and Fall of Akhilesh Dubey
Akhilesh Dubey's story represents a remarkable journey from a small-town youth from Farrukhabad to becoming one of Kanpur's most influential and feared legal fixers operating within the complex crime-police-political nexus. Born in Gursahaiganj, Dubey moved to Kanpur during the 1980s and initially worked various odd jobs before entering the criminal underworld through his association with narcotics smuggler Mishri Jaiswal.
His criminal career took a decisive turn when a violent rivalry with gangster Gopi Nai pushed him deeper into local mafia groups. Dubey strategically reinvented himself as a police informer, and his fortunes changed dramatically in 1995 when Gopi Nai was killed in a police encounter allegedly based on Dubey's tip-off.
Over the following decade, Dubey became increasingly indispensable to police encounter teams, drafting case papers and providing advice to officers. After obtaining a law degree, he began styling himself as "Dr Akhilesh Dubey" and established his headquarters at Saket Dham, which quickly transformed into a hub where police officers, politicians, and local operatives queued for legal assistance, postings, and various "settlements."
The SIT now alleges that Dubey orchestrated numerous fake FIRs, particularly involving rape and SC/ST cases, using vulnerable women to extort money or settle land disputes. His arrest on August 7 ultimately unraveled what police describe as a multi-layered blackmail and influence network operating across multiple districts, exposing the deep-rooted connections between crime, law enforcement, and political influence in the region.
