Kanpur Dehat eviction drive deaths: Bodies of woman, daughter to be sent for final rite, 2 detained

The bodies of the mother-daughter duo who burnt to death during an anti-burglary drive in Kanpur Dehat have been taken to the site of the incident and will soon be sent to their village for last rites. Accounts of how the women met their tragic end vary. While authorities say the two set themselves on fire, family members and locals say their cottage was set on fire during a demolition drive.

Four police teams have been formed to investigate the case, while two accused have been arrested.

On Tuesday, police charged 39 people, including a lower-ranking judge, four revenue officials, the head of the police station and several other officers, with murder and other charges. Sub-divisional magistrate (Maitha) Gyaneshwar Prasad has been suspended, Inspector General of Police (Kanpur Range) Prashant Kumar said.

An FIR was registered on charges of murder, attempt to murder other than mischief by killing or maiming cattle, mischief by fire with intent to destroy a house etc. and willful insult. The JCB, which was used in the demolition of the victim's house, has been seized, a police official said.

WHAT HAPPENED IN KANPUR DEHAT

A 45-year-old woman and her 20-year-old daughter reportedly died after they set themselves on fire during an anti-burglary drive in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Dehat district on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Pramila Dixit and her daughter Neha, who took the extreme step in the presence of police, district office and revenue department officials who went to Madauli village in Rura area of the district to clear encroachments from a "gram samaj" land.

Rura Station House Officer (SHO) Dinesh Gautam and Pramila's husband, Gendan Lal, sustained burn injuries while trying to rescue the victims. The aggrieved family members of the women allegedly beat up Lekhpala (revenue officer) Ashok Singh, following which members of the anti-disturbance team fled the spot.

The family members of the victims also submitted their demand to District Magistrate (DM) Neha Jain and Superintendent of Police (SP) BBGTS Murthy for registration of FIR against Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Maitha) Gyaneshwar Prasad, Lekhpal Singh and others. Additional Director General of Police (Kanpur Zone) Alok Singh along with Divisional Commissioner Raj Shekhar visited the village.

After the incident, family members and local villagers refused to hand over the bodies for post-mortem. Meanwhile, there was a heavy police deployment in and around the village as tension prevailed following the deaths.

The villagers were adamant about their demand that the police be allowed to take the bodies for post-mortem only after the arrival of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 5 crore and government jobs for at least two family members of the bereaved.