Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday sharpened the opposition’s attack on the UP government over the brutal murder of power department contractor Shiv Kumar Tiwari in Gorakhpur on August 8, questioning how criminals could operate with such impunity in CM Yogi Adityanath’s home district.
Condemning the killing, Yadav questioned as to who was providing patronage to “such hardened criminals”. He said the brazenness with which the crime was committed raised serious questions over the state’s law and order.
His remarks came as Gorakhpur police initiated the process of invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against the eight arrested accused in the case amid mounting public anger over a widely circulated video purportedly showing a teenager launching a frenzied sword attack on Tiwari.
The development has given fresh momentum to the opposition’s attack on the BJP government’s oft-repeated claim of “zero tolerance” towards crime. The Congress is also directly targeting the CM over the killing.
On August 8, Tiwari was allegedly attacked with an iron rod and sword during a community feast in Sikriganj area of Gorakhpur. He was reportedly assaulted while sitting in a queue for the feast and later attacked with a sword while being taken to hospital after the first assault.
The purported video of the incident has intensified public outrage. It allegedly shows the juvenile accused chasing Tiwari after he got off an e-rickshaw in Ahirauli Khurd village and repeatedly attacking him with a sword. Tiwari collapsed on the spot.
{{/usCountry}}The purported video of the incident has intensified public outrage. It allegedly shows the juvenile accused chasing Tiwari after he got off an e-rickshaw in Ahirauli Khurd village and repeatedly attacking him with a sword. Tiwari collapsed on the spot.
{{/usCountry}}Gorakhpur SSP Dr Kaustubh said police had initiated the process to invoke the NSA against the eight arrested accused. He said the murder appeared to have stemmed from a longstanding rivalry between two families following the murder of one Adesh Chaudhary in 2024.
The juvenile accused has been sent to a juvenile observation home. The SHO of Sikriganj police station has been attached to the police lines in connection with the case.
The political backlash gathered pace as members of the Civil Court Bar Association, Gorakhpur, abstained from routine judicial work on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum to the civil judge, expressing anger over the killing and demanding stringent action. The lawyers, led by acting president Sumit Mishra and joint secretary Ashutosh Dubey, said they would continue their protest.
SP leader Pawan Pandey demanded immediate arrest of all accused, a fair and a time-bound investigation. He also demanded immediate support for the bereaved family and said no accused should receive political or administrative protection.
“Blood of innocent people must stop flowing. The harshest action must be taken against the culprits. Shiv Kumar Tiwari’s family must get justice,” Pandey demanded.
He also highlighted concerns among members of the Brahmin community following the killing and said the government must ensure that the incident did not become an example of criminals operating with impunity.
Congress’s state unit president Ajay Rai directly targeted the chief minister, alleging that members of the Brahmin community were facing attacks across Uttar Pradesh.
“The government speaks of zero tolerance, but cases are coming up from across the state. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath should resign as he is unable to stop incidents even in his own district,” Rai said.
The case has also acquired a strong local dimension, with lawyers and residents demanding accountability and strict action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, a Samajwadi Party delegation, including party’s Gorakhpur district president Brajesh Kumar Gautam and former Chillupar MLA Vinay Shankar Tiwari, met the bereaved family and expressed condolences.
“We stand with the bereaved family and will extend every possible assistance to them,” the delegation said, describing the killing as “deeply disturbing and inhuman”. Police said the investigation was continuing to establish the circumstances leading to the murder and determine the role of each accused.