Image Courtesy:amarujala.com
An ex-military man alleged physical and sexual assault at the hands of Puranpur police in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh on May 3, 2021, while en route to his deceased brother-in-law’s house.
Advocate Vasu Kukreja speaking on behalf of the survivor said the man was travelling to Likhimpurkhiri (Lakhimpur kheeri) district to visit his sister for the last rites of her husband when he was stopped by local police. The path was barricaded. According to Circle Office DSP Lallan Singh speaking to Sabrang India, this was done because a nearby area was carrying out counting for Panchayat elections.
The man accompanied by his 82-year-old mother and two sisters, was asked to present papers for his visit, as per a formal complaint lodged by the aggrieved to the UN Human Rights Council and State DGP and Chief General Secretary.
However, the family was taken away by the police to the station, following which the alleged incident occurred. The survivor posted videos presenting injuries to his body on social media. Some of this photo and video evidence is gruesome and gory and hence Sabrang India has withheld publishing this.
Responding to the news, the Kisan Ekta Morcha at Ghazipur that observed the survivor at its dharnas condemned the act and demanded immediate intervention by police officials.
“If Resham Singh will not get justice, we will call for chakka jam (protest),” warned members.
A formal complaint sent by the organisation can be seen below:
Meanwhile the state police suspended Sub-inspector Daroga Ramnaresh after the video became viral. However, DSP Singh said that witnesses have not confirmed beating at the police station as per Singh’s account.
“People were being redirected that day as a crowd had gathered at the counting area. However, this person refused to take the other route. Eventually, heated arguments broke out. We are still looking into the situation to see how the person got his injuries,” he told Sabrang India.
Police claimed that the complainant was rude to the officers working at the barricade and threatened to break it down.
Situation at Uttar Pradesh
The state recorded as many as 31,165 new Covid-19 cases on May 6, as per the health department. An Indian Express report also claimed a record high of 357 deaths in the same time. However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath maintains that there is no health crisis in the region. Similarly, media coverage of state crematoria was banned by the government.
Earlier, the government warned that people who seek beds for ailing relatives on social media will be booked under the National Security act (NSA). Adityanath instructed the police to levy charges on any person spreading “rumours”.
The survivor claimed he was also threatened with charges under Section 144 and sections of the Epidemics Disease Act.
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