He was the sole bread-winner of the family and it is believed that he was assaulted by the cops to extort money and on the behest of a local corporator.
Meerut: UP was rocked by another news of lawlessness when policemen attacked a local meat trader on the suspicion of cow slaughter who later succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
Mohammed Salim Qureshi alias Munna, died in AIIMS eight days after he was allegedly assaulted by policemen at a private wedding lawn on June 14.
“His family had alleged that Qureshi was summoned by Kankartola police outpost in-charge Ali Mia Zaidi and two other constables, Harish Chandra and Shreepal, and he collapsed during questioning. Qureshi was rushed to a local hospital following which he was shifted to a multispeciality hospital in the city after his condition deteriorated. He was finally referred to AIIMS Delhi where he breathed his last on Thursday,” Times of India reported.
“In a written complaint to UP director-general of police OP Singh, Qureshi’s wife had alleged assault by the cops at the behest of a local corporator. “My husband was the sole bread-winner of the family. He was brutally assaulted by cops who wanted to extort money. This was all done at the behest of local corporator Anjum Khan alias Firdaus,” Qureshi’s wife Farzana wrote,” the report added.
“SSP Bareilly Kalanidhi Naithani said that a sub-inspector and two constables, who were involved in assaulting the meat trader, were suspended and a departmental inquiry has been ordered. Circle Officer Nidhi Dwivedi has been directed to probe charges of assault and extortion against them, added the SSP,” DNA reported.
The report further added, “An FIR has been lodged following the complaint by the victim’s family. We have suspended the SHO and two constables in connection with alleged physical assault at the police station and ordered a probe. Investigations are underway and further action will be initiated after report is submitted,” said the SSP.
According to the FIR, the Kankartola Police Station SHO Ali Mia Zaidi had sent two constables Shree Pal and Harish Chandra to Qureshi’s house on June 14 to bring him to the police outpost following a tip-off that he was involved in cow slaughter. Qureshi owned a small meat shop in Baradari area of Bareilly. Khan was arrested in another case of extortion on Wednesday and sent to jail.
“Meanwhile, after Qureshi succumbed to his injuries in Delhi, his family agitated against police. Heavy police force was deployed to oversee Qureshi’s funeral and prevent any untoward incident. Later, his family and locals staged a protest at Shahdana crossing in Baradari area demanding arrest of the accused policemen and slapping of murder charges against them in the FIR,” the report by TOI stated.