Eyewitness: The Truth Will Come Out

Within seconds of our reaching Ramesh’s house, a local policeman turned up, to enquire about our visit to Bisada village. The policeman was quick to boast of the police’s handling of the case, and for making arrests within 72 hours of the incident. Half an hour later, he was gone, leaving us in no doubt that the eyewitness is being watched closely.

Though outwardly calm, Ramesh was clearly agitated. No matter how much the police try to suppress it, he said, the truth will come out one day. He also said that 80 percent of the villagers know what really happened that fateful night at Akhlaq’s home.

Crucially, the UP police has not yet recorded the statement of Akhlaq’s son Danish, who was attacked along with his father, suffering near-fatal injuries. He is now out of hospital, and is the Prime Witness in the case. Why is the UP police staying away from him?

So What Really Happened?

Ramesh told The Quint that at around 10 pm on 28 September, he received a call for help from Akhlaq. In the short phone conversation, Akhlaq, he says, told him that a few people had forced their way into his house and were threatening to kill him.

