Amid criticism, Jayant Sinha defends meeting with gaurakshak murder convicts

A day after he was criticised on social media for meeting and garlanding eight gaurakshaks who were convicted of murdering a Muslim cattle trader, Union Minister Jayant Sinha defended his actions in a series of tweets on Saturday.

Sinha, who is Union minister of state for civil aviation, was panned for garlanding the eight convicts who were released after the Ranchi High Court had suspended the life sentences imposed on them and three others for killing Alimuddin Ansari, a cattle trader in June 2017. The conviction of the 11 gaurakshaks was touted as the first convictions in a case of murder involving gaurakshaks. The convicts reportedly went to Sinha's residence immediately after their release on Thursday.

In a series of tweets, Sinha declared he had full faith in the judicial system.“Unfortunately, irresponsible statements are being made about my actions when all that I am doing is honouring the due process of law. Those that are innocent will be spared and the guilty will be appropriately punished.”

Sinha also reiterated his criticism of the way in which the 11 gaurakshaks, which included a local BJP leader, were tried and sentenced by a fast-track court in March this year. Sinha had called for a CBI probe into the case.

“I have repeatedly expressed my misgivings about the Fast-Track Court judgement sentencing each accused to life imprisonment. I am pleased that the Hon'ble High Court will hear the matter as a statutory court of appeal to test the correctness of the Fast-Track Court order,” Sinha tweeted.

In another tweet, Sinha “unequivocally” condemned and rejected any type of vigilantism.

Political leaders, journalists and activists criticised Sinha and the BJP for the meeting with the gaurakshaks.