A policeman on patrolling duty allegedly slammed a key into the forehead of a 20-year-old man in Rudrapur town of Uttarakhand on Monday night for over-speeding while riding a motorbike.
Following the incident, a large number of angry locals clashed with police only to be dispersed with mild lathicharge. Three policemen, including a sub-inspector, were booked on Tuesday evening after being suspended earlier by the district police administration, said an officer.
Confirming the incident, senior superintendent of police, Daleep Singh Kunwar said, “One sub inspector and two constables involved in the incident have been booked in the incident for causing hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation under relevant sections of the IPC and under Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. An inquiry into the incident has also been initiated by circle officer, Bazpur.”
On Tuesday afternoon, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat took cognisance of the incident and directed the director general (law & order) to take strict action against the cops involved.
The victim, Deepak, 20, is a resident of Rampura village in the area and had gone to a fuel station with a friend on his motorbike, said police.
{{/usCountry}}The victim, Deepak, 20, is a resident of Rampura village in the area and had gone to a fuel station with a friend on his motorbike, said police.
{{/usCountry}}“While on their way, the police’s City Patrolling Unit cops, including the now suspended officers, asked them to stop as they were overspeeding. The two tried to flee from the scene, it is then that one of the policemen boxed the key of his own motorbike into Deepak’s forehead,” said the official who did not wish to be named.
Ashok Kumar, director general (Law and Order) said, “The incident is a very serious one in which a man was severely injured. The cops on their part had said that while they were on duty, they saw him over speeding and tried to stop him. However, instead of stopping the motorbike he sped away which led to the incident.”
The man, in pain and with keys dangling from his forehead, headed towards his village and narrated the incident to his family and other villagers which angered them.
“The agitated locals then made their way to the local police station demanding strict action against the cops. They also tried to gherao the police station at which point they were lathicharged. They resorted to stone pelting. Soon, senior police officers reached the spot to control the situation,” the official said.
Meanwhile, local legislator Raj Kumar Thukral also reached the police station and complained to the authorities about the incident. He also tried to pacify the crowd by assuring action against the cops behind the incident.
“Meanwhile, a case has been lodged against about 150 unidentified persons for gathering near the police station and pelting stones at policemen. An investigation is on in that case too and the accused would soon be arrested,” said Ashok Kumar.
Injured Deepak is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.