BJP SC cell office-bearer ‘assaulted’ in Prayagraj police station, four cops suspended

The complainant, Manoj Pasi, the co-treasurer of the party’s state SC Morcha, alleged that Station House Officer (SHO) Upendra Pratap Singh and six other policemen assaulted him when he had gone to enquire about the reason behind stopping the construction work at his brother’s house by the police.

Senior BJP leaders in Prayagraj, including the city mayor, MLAs and office-bearers of various party cells, reached the police station and demanded an immediate action against the “errant” officials.

They also went to Pasi’s house.

While Police Commissioner Prayagraj Tarun Gauba and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Bharti did not respond to calls, ACP Vinal Kishor Mishra said the four policemen were suspended with an immediate effect.

No action has been taken against the SHO so far.

About the allegations of assault on Pasi, the ACP said it would be confirmed only in the probe.

Pasi told The Indian Express that his brother Roshan Lal purchased a land parcel close to his house four years ago and was extending the boundary wall, which his neighbour objected to and complained to the police. “The police came and stopped the work and also hurled abuses at me and my brother,” he said.

“I went to the police station around noon on Wednesday and asked the SHO and Chamanganj outpost in-charge Santosh Singh if there was any written order to stop the work. I also told them that the Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) should decide the matter since it is a revenue-related matter. Then I asked them as why they were hurling abuses at me. On this, SHO Upendra Pratap Singh, SI Santosh Singh and four other policemen dragged me inside a room and assaulted me so brutally that I fell unconscious. I came to know later that I was rushed to the hospital by some policemen.”

Pasi said he complained to DCP Abhishek Bharti about the assault on Wednesday night, but no FIR was lodged yet. “Four policemen have been suspended, but no action has been taken against the SHO so far. The DCP told me that the SHO is not being removed due to Maha Kumbh duty,” he said.

Condemning the assault, state BJP SC Morcha president Ramchandra Kanaujia said, “We will not stay quiet until the errant policemen are taken to task and a case is not registered against them for torturing a Dalit. Manoj Pasi did not commit any crime. He was was beaten up in such a manner that even a hardcore criminal is not treated like that. Manoj was seriously injured and was not even able to speak properly.”

Pasi’s wife Sanno Devi too alleged manhandling and harassment by cops when she went to the police station after hearing of the assault. “A sub-inspector, Vipin Yadav, twisted my arm and snatched my mobile phone while hurling abuses at me,” she claimed.