Additional director general , Meerut zone, Bhanu Bhaskar on Friday ordered a probe into the allegation of custodial torture against outgoing Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey after a Bharatiya Kisan Union leader alleged that he and another political activist were brutally assaulted in police custody on August 19 following his involvement in a protest in Meerut over the murder of college student.
Saharanpur DIG Abhishek Singh, who will carry out the investigation, has been directed to submit a report at the earliest. The allegations surfaced shortly after Avinash Pandey was removed as Meerut SSP and attached to the police headquarters in Lucknow late on Thursday night.
A video of BKU leader Digvijay Bhati, showing a swollen and injured eye, went viral on social media. Bhati, who is associated with the BKU’s BR Ambedkar faction, alleged that he and Mohit Jatav were summoned to the SSP’s office on August 19.
He alleged that the two were taken into a side cabin after meeting Pandey and were subjected to a brutal assault. He further alleged that a kick struck his eye, causing serious swelling and an injury that left him fearing for his eyesight.
At a press conference held by Samajwadi Party MLA Atul Pradhan on Friday, Bhati appeared with his injured eye covered with a bandage.
{{/usCountry}}At a press conference held by Samajwadi Party MLA Atul Pradhan on Friday, Bhati appeared with his injured eye covered with a bandage.
{{/usCountry}}He alleged that he repeatedly lost consciousness during the beating and was revived before being assaulted again. He alleged that Civil Lines inspector Akhilesh Gaur was also involved in the assault. As per the BKU leader, he was also tortured by the Special Operations Group (SOG).
On the other hand, Meerut police have rejected the allegations of custodial torture. They claimed that Bhati and Jatav were already facing several criminal cases and were history-sheeters.
The police claimed that the two sustained injuries after their scooter skidded while they were returning home. The two subsequently submitted a written complaint at Civil Lines police station regarding the incident, according to the police version.
The allegations have assumed significance because they come against the backdrop of an earlier controversy involving Pandey and the July 8 protest over the Lalita Gautam murder case. SP MLA Atul Pradhan has demanded action against Pandey and inspector Akhilesh Gaur.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that farmer leaders were being subjected to “third-degree” torture in Uttar Pradesh and demanded a detailed investigation and strict action against those found guilty.
Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad has also demanded an impartial investigation, preservation of CCTV footage and independent medical examinations of Bhati and Jatav.