Shikhar Agrawal, an accused in the mob violence in Bulandshahr that broke out over alleged cow slaughter and led to the death of a police officer on 3 December, has reportedly said that the incident was not a premeditated move, but a sudden breakout.
In an interview with ABP News on Sunday, 9 December, Agrawal, who is apparently the president of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Bulandshahr city, said:
“I was not present at the site when Inspector Subodh (Kumar Singh) was murdered. I was present at the place where cow carcasses were found... I only reached the spot, took the dead bodies of cows and headed for the police station. I was not the one behind gathering people for violence, such incidents attract people.”Accused Shikhar Agrawal, as quoted by ABP News
He further told the news channel that the "inspector had provoked the crowd" and "threatened to shoot if people did not disperse."
Agrawal is named in the FIR over mob violence along with 26 others as well as 50-60 unnamed people. Among those accused of partaking in the violence is Jitendra Malik, alias Jeetu Fauji, who allegedly fired at Subodh Kumar Singh.
Regarding Jitendra Malik's involvement in the whole incident, ABP News quoted Shikhar Agrawal as saying:
“A person who was being addressed as ‘Fauji’ was in the crowd raising voice against cow-slaughter.”Shikhar Agrawal, as quoted by ABP News
On Sunday, 9 December, Jitendra Malik was sent to 14-day judicial custody.
(With inputs from ABP News.)
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