SIT launches probe into ‘rioting’ case involving Kannauj MP

The SIT was formed after SP and district magistrate Kannauj gave in writing that the investigation be done by policemen who are not from Kannauj.

KANPUR Exactly a week after police booked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Kannauj, Subrat Pathak, for rioting, assault on public servants, and criminal intimidation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed specifically for this case formally launched the investigation on Sunday.

A leaked CCTV footage purportedly showed Pathak engaging in a scuffle with a police officer. (HT Photo)

A leaked CCTV footage purportedly showed Pathak engaging in a scuffle with a police officer. Pathak has, so far, been insisting on the examination of CCTV footage. According to him, he was merely trying to mediate. The SIT team -- comprising inspector Anil Kumar, Pawan Kumar, sub-inspector Rakesh Bahadur Singh, and head constable Sikander -- visited Mandi Chowki and collected the documents before inspecting the crime scene.

Additional SP of Kanpur Dehat, Rajesh Pandey, is the head of the SIT formed by ADG Kanpur zone Alok Singh. The SIT was formed after SP and district magistrate Kannauj gave in writing that the investigation be done by policemen who are not from Kannauj. SP Kunwar Anupam Singh and the district magistrate had given a letter after Pathak levelled serious allegations against two officers. Pathak has alleged that the SP and the DM working at the behest of the BSP and are trying to frame him in this case.

SI Hakim Singh has alleged that the MP arrived at the police post with his supporters, caught him by his collar, started hurling abuses, and beat him up. His aides allegedly beat up other policemen, including three sub-inspectors and four constables in his presence, he said in the FIR. The kidnapping case is related to two brothers Deepu Yadav and Neelesh Yadav of Kannauj.

To recall, Pathak wrested the Kannauj seat from Dimple Yadav, the wife of SP president Akhilesh Yadav, in 2019.