Court Rejects UP Govt's Plea to Drop Charges in 2015 Akhlaq Lynching Case

• A Surajpur court rejected the Uttar Pradesh government’s plea to withdraw all charges against the accused in the 2015 Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case.
• The court ordered protection for evidence, categorized the case as “most important,” and directed daily hearings and early evidence recording.
• Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched in Dadri in 2015 over allegations of consuming and storing beef.
• The UP government sought to withdraw prosecution citing inconsistent statements, no weapons recovered, and lack of prior enmity.
• Akhlaq's wife moved the Allahabad High Court, and Brinda Karat wrote to President Droupadi Murmu against the UP government's move.

Why It Matters: Court's decision is a setback for UP govt, ensuring justice process continues in Akhlaq lynching case.