FIR against 28 UP cops for fake encounter

The police had claimed to have recovered a stolen motorcycle and a countrymade pistol from him

The Crime Branch-CID has lodged an FIR against 28 policemen,including five sub-inspectors,for killing a man in an allegedly fake encounter at Gyanpur in Bhadohi in 2005. The investigation was carried out on the order of the State Human Rights Commission.

Auto driver Vijay alias Lalau Harijan,who belonged to Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district but stayed in Allahabad,was reportedly picked up from his home and shot dead on March 29,2005.

The police had claimed to have recovered a stolen motorcycle and a countrymade pistol from him.

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They also claimed that two policemen were injured in the exchange of fire which took place near a canal.

Confirming the FIR in the case,Bhadohi Additional SP Ramesh said,”The CB-CID,Varanasi sector,will investigate the case. Since the SC/ST Act has been levelled against them,a DySP rank officer will investigate.”

Inspector Keshav Prasad Gupta,who conducted the inquiry on the SHRC order,found that the motorcycle and the firearm which the police claimed to have found from Vijay were missing from the store of the Ghyanpur police station. Vijay’s medical report stated that he had been shot from close range and had suffered seven fractures.

Vijay’s wife Pinky alleged that he was killed at the behest of a head constable,a neighbour,who used to make sexual advances towards her.

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“After the encounter,I filed a complaint with SHRC and also wrote to the Chief Minister stating that my husband had been killed in a fake encounter,” she said. “I want the policemen to be hanged.”