Varanasi: Two Samajwadi Party (SP) MLAs, a district chief, 43 other named individuals, and approximately 200 unidentified persons have been booked on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, and assaulting a public servant by the Karanda police following a violent clash in Katariya village on Wednesday.
Police Officer Injured in Clash
Station House Officer (SHO) Santosh Kumar of Karanda police station suffered a severe head injury, along with several others, when a group of villagers resorted to brick-batting upon the arrival of an SP delegation to meet the family of a recently murdered girl.
FIR Lodged Under Multiple Sections
Based on the SHO's complaint, an FIR was registered under sections 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 190 (unlawful assembly), 109(1) (attempt to commit suicide with intent to prevent a public servant from discharging duty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 125 (act endangering life), 132 (assault on public servant), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Accused List Includes Prominent SP Figures
A total of 46 named persons, including MLAs Jaikishan Sahu Jacky, Virendra Yadav, SP district president Gopal Yadav, Sunil Yadav, Manish Yadav, Anil Yadav, Panchu Yadav, and Satya Yadav, along with around 200 unidentified individuals, have been named as accused.
Background of the Incident
On April 15, the body of Nisha Sharma was discovered near the Jamania-Dharammarpur Ganga river bridge. Her father, Siyaram Sharma of Katariya village, lodged a murder case against Hariom Pandey and Abhishek Pandey. Police arrested Hariom Pandey the same day.
Subsequently, the Samajwadi Party announced that a 15-member delegation would visit the victim's family on April 22. However, on April 21, Siyaram Sharma submitted an application to the police alleging that an SP office memorandum dated April 20 contained false claims that his daughter was raped before being killed and her body dumped into the Ganga. Sharma stated that these contents were insulting to his deceased daughter and harmed the family's dignity, causing resentment among villagers.
Delegation's Visit Turns Violent
When the delegation reached near the village, police informed SP leaders that legal action had been taken and the victim's family was satisfied. However, delegation members, along with over 200 party supporters, attempted to enter the village. Police requested that only listed delegation members be allowed to meet the family. When the supporters tried to enter forcibly, police stopped them at Ambedkar Chowk and brought the victim's family there for the meeting.
During the interaction between SP functionaries and the victim's family, SP supporters allegedly made provocative remarks, leading to violence. According to the police investigation, Sunil Yadav initially hurled a stick, followed by Anil Yadav pelting bricks and stones. Police further alleged that supporters, led by those present, attacked with bricks, stones, lathis, and sticks.
Injuries and Aftermath
In the violence, SHO Santosh Kumar sustained a severe head injury, and a video of the incident went viral on social media. Police reported that Abhinandan Singh alias Suraj and a woman from the same village also suffered serious head injuries. The SHO, who fell unconscious, was rushed to the hospital, while villagers later retaliated by pelting stones.
The clash triggered panic in the village, with residents shutting doors and windows and shopkeepers in nearby markets pulling down shutters. Bricks, stones, and footwear were left scattered on the road, severely affecting public order.
Later, a heavy police force from Nandganj, Rampur Manjha, Suhwal, and Kotwali police stations was deployed, while Ghazipur SP Iraj Raja, ASP (City) Rakesh Mishra, and other senior officials also arrived at the spot.
