Akhilesh alleges 'peak' corruption in UP; cites SC remark to attack law-and-order situation

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged "peak" corruption in Uttar Pradesh, claiming money is being extorted even from candidates who have cleared police recruitment exams, while the law-and-order mechanism has deteriorated to such an extent that the Supreme Court has remarked that the state police may as well be disbanded.

Speaking at a press conference at the party office here, Yadav, citing media reports, pointed out how the apex court had recently made a grim observation on the state of Uttar Pradesh Police, saying the force may as well be disbanded.

"I do not recall a high court or the Supreme Court making such a stern observation about any other government in the past 10 years," Yadav asserted, adding that during this period, Allahabad High Court and the apex court had made 81 adverse comments regarding the Uttar Pradesh government.

"Corruption is at its peak. Even candidates who have cleared the sub-inspector recruitment examination are being extorted," he further alleged.

In a statement issued later in the day, the Samajwadi Party chief sharpened his attack against the BJP government, alleging it has "ruined" law-and-order, education and healthcare systems in Uttar Pradesh.

Yadav claimed National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data indicates that crimes against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh have been at their highest under BJP rule. The state ranks first in crimes against women, cybercrimes and deaths in police custody, he alleged.

A disproportionately large number of people from 'PDA' communities are lodged in jails across Uttar Pradesh, he claimed, adding that individuals from these communities also find themselves in the crosshairs of most "staged" encounters.

'PDA' -- a political acronym coined by Yadav -- stands for 'pichhda' (backward classes), Dalit, and 'alpsankhyak' (minorities).

Yadav further said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has increased the budget for the state government's information department manifold, solely to shine his political image. "He is spending even more than the prime minister to promote his own face," the statement read.

"There is no rule of law under the BJP government. The administration has corrupted the police force to the extent that personnel have been known to carry out 'encounters' while wearing slippers," Yadav said.

Yadav alleged that the BJP government is harassing competent and honest officers, adding that if the Samajwadi Party comes to power, honest and capable officials will be given appropriate postings.

(This story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)