In a decisive move, the local administration in Ayodhya demolished the bakery owned by SP leader Moeed Khan, the main accused in a gang rape case involving a minor girl. The bakery, identified as ‘Avon Bakery’ and located in Bhadarsa, was found to be operating illegally, prompting the district administration to take swift action.
This development comes just a day after an FIR was registered against Moeed Khan in connection with the heinous crime. Reports indicate that the UP government has also suspended the station and chowki in-charges as part of its crackdown on the case.
Early in the morning, the Food Safety Deputy Commissioner led a raid on the bakery, ordering tests on the products being made there. The bakery was subsequently bulldozed, with visuals of the demolition shared by news agency ANI. District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Rajkaran Nair were present at the scene to oversee the operation.
The demolition is part of a broader response by the UP government to address the incident. On Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with the mother of the 12-year-old victim, assuring her that the accused would face the harshest possible punishment. The victim’s mother has called for the death penalty for Moeed Khan and his accomplice.
In a related development, the UP Police filed a new case on Friday concerning the alleged rape. This case, lodged in the Kotwali Nagar area, names SP leader and Nagar Panchayat Bhadarsa Chairman Mohammad Rashid, SP leader Jai Singh Rana, and another individual for allegedly threatening the victim’s family to settle the matter.
The situation has sparked political tensions, with UP Minister and Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad criticizing former UP Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Nishad accused Yadav of protecting the accused, saying, “Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA is a lie… Those who raise the slogans of PDA and feel proud of the fact that they won in Ayodhya, it seems that they have won with the help of these criminals… They are protecting the criminal, neither expelling him from the party nor saying anything against the accused. Today, I have raised this issue in the House, and until I make sure that he gets hanged, I will stand by the victim. I thank the CM for taking cognizance and action. I just hope to protect my community…”
