Hundreds of people belonging to the Balmiki community created ruckus at the local railway station on Monday during a protest against the death of a theft accused in the custody of the Government Railway Police (GRP).
The protesters broke windowpanes and doors at the railway station alleging foul play in the death of Lucky, a theft accused, who worked as a tea vendor at the local railway station.
Lucky, a resident of railway quarters, was arrested by the GRP on charges of theft on Saturday. The police, however, claimed that he escaped from their custody and committed suicide by jumping before a train at Goraya on late Sunday night.
After the incident came to light, more than 500 protesters gathered at railway station accusing the GRP of negligence.
They raised slogans and demanded suspension of assistant sub-inspector Pavittar Singh, in-charge of GRP post. Singh had arrested Lucky. Pawan Sethi, a protester, alleged that the police murdered Lucky during his interrogation and now were concocting a suicide story.
“Lucky was innocent and the GRP took him custody without any reason and tortured him resulting in his death. We will provide justice to the victim and lodge a case against the erring ASI,” he said. Kapurthala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ashish Chaudhary and Phagwara SP Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu visited the railway station.
{{/usCountry}}“Lucky was innocent and the GRP took him custody without any reason and tortured him resulting in his death. We will provide justice to the victim and lodge a case against the erring ASI,” he said. Kapurthala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ashish Chaudhary and Phagwara SP Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu visited the railway station.
{{/usCountry}}SP Sidhu said a case has been registered against the ASI under section 306 of the IPC at Phagwara. Gurnam Singh, deputy superintendent of police, GRP Jalandhar, said the police had arrested Lucky after recovering a snatched purse and money from him. The DSP said Lucky escaped from the police custody on the pretext of going to bathroom.