Dadri lynching: UP CM raises ex-gratia to Rs 20 lakh

Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav today raised the ex-gratia given to the Dadri lynching victim's family to Rs 20 lakh.

"The CM has decided to hike the amount of financial assistance being extended to the kin of the victim from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh," an official spokesman said here.

The Chief Minister, during a review meeting, directed the concerned officials to take all necessary measures to bring the culprits to book and also prevent the occurrence of such an incident.

He said that stern action will be taken against the accused and those attempting to spread rumours.

50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was bludgeoned to death by a 200-strong mob in a village in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh on Delhi's outskirts earlier this week, following rumours that he and his family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat as a "pre-planned murder" because of the victim's religious persuasion.

The victim's 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment.

Aqlakh's other son, Sartaj, who serves in the Indian Air Force, has demanded strict punishment for the murderers of his father. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The incident also drew sharp reaction from various political parties.