Locals call for second medical test

Nearly 150 irate Sohna residents staged a protest in front of the Gurgaon police commissioner's office on Thursday. The demonstration came in the wake of allegations of custodial torture on Om Veer at Sohna police station last Saturday. Siddhartha Rai reports.

Nearly 150 irate Sohna residents staged a protest in front of the Gurgaon police commissioner's office on Thursday. The demonstration came in the wake of allegations of custodial torture on Om Veer at Sohna police station last Saturday.

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Police commissioner Alok Mittal gave a patient audience to the crowd that also included some senior BJP and Haryana Janhit Congress leaders. "We have taken swift action in the matter, suspended the three officers said to be involved in the incident and registered an FIR. Now the rest should be left to the law," said Mittal.

The crowd was particularly agitated as they thought that the medical report by a three-member board that had examined the victim a couple of days ago had diluted the matter. "The medical board had been set up in an impartial manner as per the demand of the victim. Now that they have submitted their report, there is no question of a second medical examination," said Mittal, responding to the demands for a second medical examination outside the state, possibly in Delhi.

"The law and order situation in Haryana has gone from bad to worse. We want serious action against the culprits," said Sudha Yadav, former MP and national general secretary of the BJP.

Three policemen, including the in-charge of Sohna police post, had been swiftly suspended on charges of excessive use of force against Veer after the latter alleged that he had been physically tortured.