Notice to Bhojpuri singer Neha Thakur over song on Kanpur eviction drive deaths

| Updated: 22 February, 2023 1:13 pm IST

Uttar Pradesh Police has served a notice to popular Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore, who is known for singing satirical songs targeting Yogi Adityanath government. Recently, she released Part 2 of her viral song “UP me ka ba” slamming the government for allegedly causing the death of a mother-daughter duo during an anti-encroachment drive at Madauli village in Kanpur Dehat district.

Rathore’s song talk about the plight of Pramila Dixit, 45, and her daughter Neha, 20, who died in their hut that was set on fire, allegedly by policemen last week

“This song has created enmity and tension in society, and you are legally bound to make your stand clear on the issue. So, you are required to file your reply within three days of receiving the notice,” the UP Police’s notice read.

“If your reply is not found satisfactory, a case will be registered… and proper legal investigation will be carried out,” it added.

Rathore came to limelight with her viral song ‘UP Mein Ka ba’ before the 2022 UP elections. Manish Sisodia and Akhilesh Yadav condemned the notice to the singer.

A 46-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter were killed during an anti-encroachment drive at Madauli village in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, police said last week.

The police has registered a murder FIR against 39 people, including sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), lekhpal (revenue officer) and the station house officer of the local police station. Police have also arrested two persons – lekhpal Ashok Singh and the driver of the bulldozer Deepak.

While the family of the women claimed that officials set fire to their thatched house on February 13, causing the death of Pramila Dixit and her daughter Neha, the district administration denied the charge and claimed the two women set fire to their hut after locking it from inside.

The FIR is based on a complaint lodged by Pramila’s son Shivam. The accused have been booked under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 436 (mischief by fire with intent to destroy house, etc), 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 34 (act done by common persons).