Dadri lynching: Release arrested, withdraw ex-gratia to Akhlaq's kin, says BJP

New Delhi: With the report of the Forensic Investigation Lab in Mathura claiming that meat found at the residence of Mohammed Akhlaq, who was lynched by a mob in Dadri last September, was beef, BJP leader Vinay Katiyar on Thursday said it was a mistake on the Uttar Pradesh Government's part to provide ex-gratia' to the former's family and demanded that it should be taken back.

"It was being said from earlier that cow slaughter took place even when it is banned in the state. There was a lot of anger in the people living in that region following which this unfortunate incident of killing of Mohammad Akhlaq took place," Katiyar said.

Read: Dadri lynching: Cong backs Akhilesh on ‘authenticity’ of lab report

"But what is more condemnable is that the Uttar Pradesh Government gave ex-gratia to his (Akhlaq's) family. It was a wrong act. They should take back the compensation provided. After all he was a criminal and providing him with ex-gratia was wrong," he added.

The BJP's Rajya Sabha MP further demanded the release of all those arrested in this case as he said there was no fault on their part.

"The laboratory has confirmed that the meat, which was found, was beef. People like Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi should issue an apology before those who worship the holy cow," he said.

However, the Congress on the other hand has come out in defence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's and have questioned the veracity of the forensic reports.