UP: Raja Bhaiya booked for DSP's murder, but will he be prosecuted?

Lucknow: At around 1.00 pm in Deoria in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, the state DGP was heckled by angry relatives of the slain DSP Zia-ul-Haque. The inconsolable widow of the Circle Officer demanded a personal assurance from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and a CBI enquiry into the killing of her husband.

By the evening, the Chief Minister landed in Deoria promising justice. Akhilesh Yadav, who has so far failed to handle the law and order situation in the state with multiple instances of vandalism, kidnapping by his own ministers, fielded his father to defend Uttar Pradesh in Delhi. Mulayam Yadav was heard telling reporters that the SP term had been better than the BSP's term. BSP chief Mayawati retorted, demanding President's rule in the state.

Under fire for protecting the powerful, UP Police suspended three officers and also promised arrest if evidence nailed Raja Bhaiya.

The big questions that the incident raises are:

- Why were the two arrests made 24 hours after the widow of slain police officer Zia-ul-Haque registered a complaint?

- If Guddu Singh is believed to be a close aide and driver of Raja Bhaiya, why hasn't UP Police questioned the Kunda strongman?

- Was Guddu Singh carrying the licensed revolver of Raja Bhaiya at the time of the crime?

- Why has the Police not recovered the murder weapon so far?

- Will this case meet the similar fate as other cases that involved ministers in the past?

Calling it a conspiracy, the Kunda strongman Raghuraj Pratap Singh too questioned the role of the police and said he would want a CBI probe.

In a preemptive move half an hour before the Assembly session began in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav accepted the resignation of Raja Bhaiya. But knowing the clout he has enjoyed in successive Samajwadi Party governments, the question is whether Raja Bhaiya will be let off after being booked in the case.