DSP murder: CBI writes to UP govt, seeks removal of cops

The Central Bureau of Investigation team probing DSP Zia-ul-Haq's murder case has written to the Uttar Pradesh government for removal of local police officers in Pratapgarh's Kunda circle stating that their presence might affect the investigation.

"A letter has been received from the CBI yesterday in which it (the probe team) has requested to remove policemen posted in Kunda circle," Additional Director General (Law and Order) Arun Kumar said.

Kunda circle in Pratapgarh district comprises four police stations -- Hathigavan, Manikpur, Kunda and Nawabganj.

In its letter, the CBI pointed that presence of local police officers could affect the ongoing probe as locals were shying away from giving their statements out of fear or some other reasons.

Besides the transfer of the station house officers of four police stations, the CBI has also sought removal of Additional Superintendent of Police Asha Ram Yadav, a source in the state home department said.

As the state government has declared that it wants an unbiased probe into the case, Kumar said, policemen will be transfered.

Balipur village head Nanhe Yadav, his brother Suresh and DSP Zia-ul-Haq were killed on March 2 in Pratapgarh, triggering a public outrage after which the Samajwadi Party government handed probe to the CBI.

Parveen, widow of DSP Zia-ul-Haq, had accused then UP minister Rahuraj Pratap Singh of being the key conspirator in the murder of her husband.

She had lodged an FIR against the minister, after which Raghuraj was forced to quit the Akhilesh Yadav government.