Last Thursday, Uday Bhan Karwariya, a former BJP MLA, walked out of Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, after serving a life sentence for the 1996 murder of ex-Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Jawahar Yadav. His release followed a decision by the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government to grant him remission, based on the approval of his mercy petition by Governor Anandiben Patel.
Uday Bhan, now 55, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on November 4, 2019. He was found guilty, along with his two brothers — former BSP MP Kapil Muni Karwariya and ex-BSP MLC Suraj Bhan Karwariya — and their cousin Ram Chandra, for their involvement in the murder of Jawahar Yadav. Despite the serious nature of the crime, the state government issued an order for his premature release on July 19, 2024. This decision was influenced by recommendations from local officials, his “good conduct” in prison, and the mercy petition committee’s review.
Uday Bhan’s release has sparked controversy. Yadav’s widow, Vijayma Yadav, a current MLA, has announced plans to challenge the remission in court. She argues that the decision undermines justice for her late husband, who was killed in a high-profile attack involving AK-47s, marking a significant escalation in violence in Prayagraj.
The Karwariya family, originally from Kaushambi but now influential in Prayagraj, has been a major player in local politics and business. Uday Bhan’s father, Vashisht Narain Karwariya, was a prominent figure before his death in 1991. Uday Bhan’s own political career began in 2002 when he was elected as an MLA for the BJP from Prayagraj’s Bara constituency. He was re-elected in 2007 but faced defeat in the 2012 Assembly elections. His family, known for its business interests in sand contracts and other ventures, has had a significant impact on local politics.
Following his release, Uday Bhan’s case has renewed debates about the influence of politics on legal decisions and the justice system’s integrity. The family’s political connections and the timing of his release have raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the remission process.
As Uday Bhan re-enters public life, the drama surrounding his release underscores the complex interplay between politics, business, and justice in Uttar Pradesh.
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