Uttar Pradesh: Youth dies in police custody, 9 cops suspended

Kanpur: Nine policemen, including an Inspector and three Sub-Inspectors, were suspended on Tuesday after a youth allegedly died in police custody in Rania police station, a senior officer said here.

Police sources said that on December 6 a businessman was looted in the Shivli area. "On the basis of suspicion Balwant Singh (27), a resident of Lalpur Saraiya, was detained by the Special Operation Group (SOG) and Shivli police and was taken to Rania police station," they said.

Police sources said that at the police station Balwant complained of chest pain and was taken to the district hospital where he died during treatment. "At the hospital Balwant's elder brother Sachin accused the police of beating the victim to death," they said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Suniti said that the SOG and police were investigating a loot incident on December 6 during which several suspects were being quizzed. She said that Balwant was also called for quizzing during which his health deteriorated and he died at the hospital.

The SP said that in the wake of the allegation levelled by Balwant's family member nine policemen, including SOG in-charge have been suspended with immediate effect to ensure fair inquiry. She said that a team has been constituted to conduct an inquiry in the incident.

She said that those, who have been suspended, include SOG in-charge SI Prashant Gautam, constable Jai Kumar, head constables Sonu Yadav, Anup Kumar, Durgesh Kumar, Inspector of Shivli police station Rajesh Kumar Singh, SI Gyan Prakash Pandey, Sampat Singh and head constable Vinod Kumar. (UNI)