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PUCL Bulletin, June 2002 Brutal
police beating and illegal detention of dalit in Varanasi Harishchandra alias Bhothu s/o Late Salikram of Village Bhelakhaan under Police Station Badaganv of Varanasi had sold some Grass used in thatching roof to Pradeep Singh for thatching the roof of his brick kiln Factory. Although Harishchandra had been repeatedly asking for the money, Pradeep Singh kept delaying payment. Due to the coming Holi Festival Harishchandra went to Pradeep Singh's House to ask for the money on 25th March at around 7 P.M. As he approached the House, suddenly the In-Charge of the Police Chowki (Post) of Haruahan, Mishra, accompanied by one of his police person, came on his motorcycle and stopped in front of Harishchandra. He immediately started
abusing Harishchandra and when Harishchandra politely and with folded
hands begged him to tell what his mistake was, the police person accompanying
Mishra started beating him with his lathi. Harishchandra started to scream
and soon other villagers gathered around them. No one however dared to
interfere. Mishra then took Harishchandra to the Haruhan Police Chowki
where he was kicked and slapped. By this time other villagers and the
wife of Harishchandra arrived and requested Mishra to release Harishchandra.
But the police refused to listen. Harishchandra was then taken to the
Police Station Badeganv where the Police Station In Charge, Rathor, questioned
him and later took his thumb impression on blank papers. On the 26th March
2002 at around 10 A.M. Mishra took him to the private nursing home of
Dr. Shambunath Singh under Police Station Shivpur and got the victim hospitalised
after paying Rs.500 to the Doctor and told the Doctor to treat him well
and after that he will receive full payment. An x-ray was taken of his
fractured hand and leg. Our Demands. |