Overview
- The Surajpur court scheduled arguments for December 23 on the Uttar Pradesh government's application under Section 321 CrPC to end the prosecution.
- Additional District Judge Saurabh Dwivedi pressed for urgency in the long-pending matter during Thursday’s brief proceedings.
- Ikhlaq’s family filed a formal objection in the trial court and has moved a writ on behalf of his wife in the Allahabad High Court challenging the state order.
- The withdrawal plea, filed by the assistant district government advocate on directions from the state and the joint director of prosecution, cites restoring social harmony and evidentiary considerations.
- Ikhlaq, 55, was killed in Bisada in 2015 over beef rumours; the case initially named 10 suspects with more added later, two accused have since died, and most others were released on bail after about 18 months.