Transfer of UP cops: CBI suspects police in Kunda killings?

Lucknow, April 3: Role of

has come under the scanner of Central Bureau of Investigation (

) in relation to the infamous Kunda killings in

.

CBI which has taken over the probe of Kunda killings has written to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav asking to transfer four station house officials (SHOs) posted in the police stations of Kunda.

CBI sources say senior policemen are interfering in the investigation of the case.

Kunda killings led to the death of Deputy SP Zia-ul-Haque and two others on March 2. Uttar Pradesh's former minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh, also known as Raja Bhaiya is accused of being involved in the Kunda killings.

Sources say CBI team noticed "immense political pressure and influence on these cops" and hence was of the view that they should be shifted.

"These cops are politically loyal and witnesses in the village fear vendetta, so are reluctant to testify before us," an official said.

The letter has reached the state home department, and a decision has still to be taken. The communique has landed the administration in a piquant position, admitted a senior state government official.

"While we would like to be seen as fair there are other considerations in such high profile cases with political ramifications," the officer conceded.

The Kunda Killings case has been handed over to CBI for probe. Raja Bhaiya had to resign from the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet following the outrage over Zia-ul-Haq's murder.

The police officer's wife, Parveen Azad, holds the politician responsible for her husband's death. Zia-ul-Haq was killed after he reached Pratapgarh in Kunda, where the village headman had been shot.

A mob reportedly cornered him and the policemen who were with him allegedly abandoned him. Zia-ul-Haq was shot during the clashes.

OneIndia News