Manhunt for 4 UP cops who ‘kidnapped, assaulted’ pharmacy student; victim fights for life at hospital

The victim, Rajneesh Patel, remains unconscious and under treatment at a hospital in Lucknow. “The picture will become clear only after the policemen are caught or when the victim regains consciousness. All four constables have been suspended, and a reward has been declared for their arrest,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Siddharthnagar, Prashant Kumar Prasad.

Rajneesh is a resident of Kapilvastu in Siddharthnagar, and is pursuing a B.Pharma degree.

According to police officers, on the intervening night of October 22 and 23, a group of villagers were returning after immersing a Lakshmi idol when they noticed a young man lying unconscious near a petrol pump in Mohana. When they went closer, they were shocked to find that the injured man was Rajneesh, who had accompanied them earlier during the idol immersion procession.

Villagers immediately rushed Rajneesh to a nearby hospital, where doctors, noting the seriousness of his injuries, referred him to the Siddharthnagar Medical College, and subsequently to Gorakhpur Medical College. As his condition worsened, he was later shifted to Lucknow, where he is currently battling for his life under intensive medical care.

During the course of the probe, police said it came to light that the idol from Champapur village was being taken to the Mohana Bridge for immersion when a dispute broke out between the participants and the police over stopping the procession.

It is suspected that following the dispute, some police personnel allegedly took Rajneesh with them on their motorcycle on some pretext. A few hours later, the youth was found lying injured. Police said initial findings suggest that the policemen allegedly assaulted him and threw him at the spot before fleeing the scene.

Soon after the matter came to light, senior police officers rushed to the spot and later visited Rajneesh’s home. They met his family and assured them that strict and impartial action would be taken against those responsible for the assault.

The Additional SP revealed that investigators have recovered video footage showing the victim falling off a motorcycle allegedly being driven by the policemen, which could prove crucial in the ongoing probe.

Based on a complaint by the victim’s brother, Avaneesh Patel, an FIR has been lodged at the Mohana police station on charges of kidnapping and attempt to murder against the four constables.

To trace the absconding policemen, two special teams led by officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) rank have been constituted. They have been tasked with locating and arresting the accused at the earliest.

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