A day after Ghaziabad police lodged an FIR against several persons who allegedly forced a 25-year-old man to drink urine in Bhojpur village, locals said the content was that of a man and his wife, whose bedroom the victim peeped into.
The incident happened on February 10, when the victim, a daily wager who helps in erecting marriage pandals, peeped into his neighbour Amit’s bedroom, when the latter’s wife was inside. He was in a drunken state and when the woman raised an alarm, he fled the spot.
However, he was summoned to a panchayat on February 14, where he was forced to stand on one leg, was beaten up, and made to drink urine. The incident came to light only on Friday, when the victim’s wife filed a complaint with the police.
Officiating senior superintendent of police Salmantaj Patil had, on Friday, ordered Bhojpur police to immediately register an FIR. Although the police have been tight-lipped about the panchayat or the incident, locals revealed more chilling details on Saturday.
“There were nearly 100-125 people assembled at the panchayat, held opposite the house of one Puran. Amit, his wife, parents, uncle and brothers were present. The victim stood on one leg before the panchayat for nearly an hour and repeatedly apologised for the mistake. Amit and his brothers slapped him. Later, the victim’s aunt beat him up with sugarcane. His uncle too joined her,” said Chiranji Lal, a villager.
{{/usCountry}}“There were nearly 100-125 people assembled at the panchayat, held opposite the house of one Puran. Amit, his wife, parents, uncle and brothers were present. The victim stood on one leg before the panchayat for nearly an hour and repeatedly apologised for the mistake. Amit and his brothers slapped him. Later, the victim’s aunt beat him up with sugarcane. His uncle too joined her,” said Chiranji Lal, a villager.
{{/usCountry}}Chiranji Lal said that later, Amit’s wife came up with her slippers and hit him with it. “Then too, the victim was apologising. He was made to write a mafinama (apology letter), in which he said that he is sorry for the mistake and will not be seen in the locality post evening. After this, Amit brought a bottle containing urine. He claimed that the urine was of himself and his wife. The bottle was half full. Four to five people from his family held the victim and forced the content to his mouth,” he said.
Chaman Kumar, another villager, said that Amit and family had filled the bottle beforehand and brought to the gathering.
“Amit said ‘iski nazar nahi uthane denge’ (We will not allow him to raise his eyes). Several people from his neighbour’s family grabbed him and forced urine to his mouth. No one got time to save him. No one came forward as it was urine. Ever since the incident, he has left his house and is staying with some relative,” Chaman said.
Locals said that following the incident, the victim had run to his house and tried to set himself afire, which was thwarted by his neighbours. Unable to face the humiliation, the victim and his family have fled their house.
Meanwhile, Amit’s family had lodged a complaint against the man after he peeped into the house on February 10. The complaint alleged that he had come with an intention of theft.
Chaman said that when the humiliated victim attempted suicide, Amit’s family had rang up the police station and informed them that the thief had come. “When police arrived and were apprised of the incident, they beat the perpetrators of the incident instead and said that an FIR would be lodged against them,” he said.
Police have arrested Amit and three others namely Rajvir, Deepu and Vikas, in the case.