Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a criminal case against family members of Kamlesh Chaudhary, also known as Kamlesh Bind, and several others for blocking a road and attacking police personnel while protesting his death in a police encounter in Ghazipur.
Kamlesh, a 28-year-old Samajwadi Party worker, was killed on June 3 during what police described as an encounter linked to the murder investigation of Vineet Rai, the son of a hotel owner. His family has alleged that the encounter was staged and has demanded a CBI probe.
According to police, tensions escalated on June 4 when Kamlesh's body was being taken to his village after a post-mortem examination. Family members and supporters placed the body near the Fullanpur railway crossing, blocked the road, and raised slogans against the administration.
An FIR filed by Sub-Inspector Ram Milan Yadav alleged that protesters attacked police personnel with bricks and stones after being asked to clear the road. Police said the disruption lasted around 40 minutes and left four officers with minor injuries.
Kamlesh's brother Sanjay Bind, his wife Anita Bind, who is the village head, and four others, including two women, have been named in the FIR. Police also booked 40 to 50 unidentified persons. The accused faces multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, assaulting public servants, and endangering public safety.
Ghazipur Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja said strict action would be taken and indicated that the National Security Act could also be invoked against those found responsible.
Before the FIR was filed, Sanjay Bind accused the police of illegally detaining his brother before killing him. He claimed Kamlesh was not involved in Vineet Rai's murder and was targeted because of his caste and political affiliation.
Police maintain that Kamlesh opened fire on officers during an operation to arrest him. They said two officers were hit during the exchange, with one protected by a bulletproof jacket. Police recovered two country-made pistols from the scene and said Kamlesh was shot in self-defence after refusing to surrender.
Kamlesh was among the accused in the murder of Vineet Rai and had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. Police said efforts are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects in the case.