Kasganj: Allegations of Custodial Torture Surface After Dalit Youth’s ‘Attempted Suicide’ (News Click)

"My son was illegally kept in police custody for a week. The investigating officers tortured and tried to make him confess to a crime which he never committed. My son cannot attempt suicide," said Raghuraj Singh, father of Gaurav.

By Newsclick Report

Lucknow: The critical condition of a dalit youth, who was called to Uttar Pradesh’s Amanpur Police Station of Kasganj district in connection with the kidnapping of a minor girl, has triggered allegations of custodial torture against the police. The girl had gone missing from near her house on February 2 and was found two days later. The youth reportedly attempted to take his own life.

The situation took an ugly turn on Saturday afternoon when family members and villagers came to know about the youth’s alleged suicide. A mob reportedly resorted to pelting stones at the police station following the critical condition of the youth. Police lathi-charged to disperse the crowd after it allegedly went out of control, leaving several injured.

The situation was restored to normal when a senior police officer arrived at the spot, assuring stern action against the accused cops. Later, the Kasganj police on Saturday lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified policemen and two others in connection with the “attempted suicide” of the 24-year-old dalit youth.

“A youth tried to commit suicide in police custody. In the case, Inspector Yatindra Pratap and Gaya Prasad, who were investigating the case, were suspended, with immediate effect. The preliminary investigation of the case has been handed over to additional superintendent of police Jitendra Kumar Dubey for a comprehensive investigation into the entire incident,” said Superintendent of Police, Kasganj, Aparna Rajat Kaushik, speaking to NewsClick.

This story was originally published in newsclick.in. Read the full story here.

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