Uttar Pradesh Govt Continuously Showing Inaction Against Prima Facie Shameful Act Of Torture Of Ex Army Officer: Allahabad HC

FACTS

• The victim, on May 2, 2021, was travelling from Pilibhit to Lakhim PurKheri to his brother in law’s funeral, along with his mother and two sisters.
• While travelling, they were stopped by the police officials, who enquired about as to where they were travelling and also the papers of their car.
• It was alleged that since the victim took some time to collect the papers, the police started abusing the victim and also his mother and sisters and the victim asked the police officials not to abuse and informed them that he is a retired army man.
• The police got infuriated and started beating the victim and also his mother and sisters and took them to the police station without the assistance of a woman police officer.
• After forcefully being taken to the said Police Station, the victim was disrobed and brutally beaten up by the police officials and it was also alleged that cops abused his Sikh identity, tore his turban, pulled his hair and bet him with lathis.

PROCEEDINGS

• Aggrieved by the acts of the police and incompetent investigation due to the influence of police, the victim filed a criminal petition before the Allahabad High Court praying to Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus to conduct a fair investigation, arrest the erring policemen and the Court to monitor the investigation.
• The Court remarked that it was a sorry state of affairs and noted that the matter required serious consideration, requested the Advocate General to assist the Court in the matter and put the case for hearing on 12 July 2021.
• On the hearing held on 12 July, the Uttar Pradesh Government informed the Court that the Government has taken action against the accused police officers and SIT has been formed to investigate the matter.
• The Court was also informed that further action against the accused, including rest, will be taken if in the preliminary enquiry, they are prima facie found to be guilty.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

• In recent developments in the case, the Court on 22 July observed that the State Government is continuously showing inaction against the prima facie shameful acts of the policemen and it cannot be tolerated.

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