The mutilated body of Aruna's (R) brother Praveen was found near their village in May.

BAREILLY: Aruna Tyagi could hardly hold back her tears while narrating the ordeal she has been through in the past two months.

The 50-year-old homemaker has been trying in vain to get officials to act on her complaint regarding the murder of her brother , Praveen. She is now on a padyatra from Ghaziabad to Lucknow , in order to meet chief minister Yogi Adityanath and seek justice.

"I have met all the top officials in the region but I haven't received anything except assurances, even as my brother's killers roam free," Aruna told TOI. Praveen, a farmer and resident of Khinora village under Niwari police station in Ghaziabad, was murdered on May 22. His mutilated body was found near the village. Police confirmed that he had been strangled.

Aruna alleged that Praveen was murdered by a village strongman. "My brother had complained to the authorities regarding irregularities at a ration ship in Khinora, run by influential people. The murder was an act of vengeance," she said.

"Our elder brother, Arvind, had filed an FIR, but the muscleman put pressure on him and forced him to name innocent people, including some of our own relatives. The persons who were actually responsible were not named in the FIR. Only a fresh and impartial probe will reveal the truth," Aruna added.

After the murder, Aruna tried to get the authorities to investigate her charges but failed. A lawyer finally suggested that she could go on a foot march to the state capital and meet the chief minister. Along the way, she could publicise her cause.

Aruna started from Ghaziabad a week ago and reached Bareilly on Thursday. She is likely to meet the CM on or shortly after Raksha Bandhan. Travelling with her son, Ankit, she will cover a total distance of 600km.

Police said there was some merit in her allegations. "Investigation has revealed that some innocent names have been added in the FIR. The case was recently transferred to the crime branch and they will most likely crack it soon," said Shiv Prakash Singh, SHO of Niwari police station. SP (crime) Brijesh Singh was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, Aruna and her son, carrying a banner and a tricolour, are receiving help from NGOs, self-help groups as well as individuals along the way.

"Justice alone will serve as a Raksha Bandhan gift that I would cherish for life," she said.

