LUCKNOW: The Mehar Bhargava murder case rocked the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Monday with the Government rejecting the Opposition demand for a CBI probe into it even as the House was told that two police sub-inspectors had been suspended on charges of sloppy investigation.

The Government said the Special Task Force would assist the police in the probe.

Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, the Speaker, Mata Prasad Pandey, directed the Government to make a statement on the issue.

Raising the matter during zero hour through an adjournment notice, Congress leaders Pramod Tewari, Jagadambika Pal and others alleged that the prime accused in the case, Sachin Pahari, enjoyed the patronage of an influential mafia-don-turned-MLA close to the ruling Samajwadi Party.

``The fact that the main culprits were able to escape after perpetrating the crime and the subsequent transfer of the investigating officer smacks of political influence,'' Mr. Tewari alleged.

He demanded that the name of the MLA, allegedly providing patronage to the killers, be revealed. Mr. Pal demanded adequate security for the Bhargava family apprehending threat to them.

BJP and BSP members also demanded a CBI probe into the matter alleging that the State police was incapable of working out the case.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Azam Khan, while condemning the incident, assured that the culprits would be nabbed soon.

He denied that there was any pressure on the police in this regard and said the two main culprits were history-sheeters and efforts were on to nab them.

Rejecting demand for a CBI inquiry into the matter, the Minister said the State police were capable of working out the case.

However, the Speaker directed the Government to make a statement in the House in this regard.

Not satisfied with the Government's response, Congress members staged a noisy walk out in the House.

Meanwhile, State DGP Yashpal Singh said the STF would also assist the police in working out the murder case.

Inspector General of Police, Lucknow zone O. P. Tripathi had already been entrusted with the supervision of the investigation.

Police teams had also been despatched to different places to nab the two main culprits Sachin Pahari and Amit Singh while three named persons in the FIR had been arrested, police sources here said.

Public outcry

Public resentment has started showing up in different forms here following the death of Mehar Bhargava. Shocked over the incident, the residents of Lucknow have decided to unite and raise their voices against the crime.

The local citizens will be holding a candle- light meeting in the city. Other means of public communication like SMSs are also being used to garner people's solidarity against the crime.

Mulayam's promise

Sensing the public mood, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav not only visited her residence but assured speedy action against the prime accused in the case. PTI/UNI

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