Murder Case Against Two UP Cops Over Dalit Labourer's Custodial Death

A 44-year-old Dalit labourer, Kamji Gond, died after police in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district allegedly picked him up to locate his son. His family claims he was harassed and assaulted in custody. A murder case has been registered against two policemen, a village head, and three others. The policemen have been suspended, though police deny any custodial assault.

The victim's son, Vishal Gond, 22, is an accused in an assault case. He alleges that on July 8, police came to his home looking for him. When they did not find him, they took his father, who was asleep. Vishal claims his father was taken to a brick kiln and beaten to force him to reveal Vishal's whereabouts. After losing consciousness, Kamji was allegedly dumped in a garden and abandoned. He was later found by locals and taken to hospital, where he died.

Police reject the assault allegations. They say Kamji developed breathing difficulties during questioning and was released into the care of a neighbour around 4 pm. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the death. The post-mortem could not determine the exact cause; viscera samples have been sent for forensic analysis.

Police have registered a murder case against six people: Sub-Inspector Sachin Saroj, Constable Ankit Singh, village head Ashutosh Shankar Singh, and three local residents. No arrests have been made. Two of the accused are Dalits. The sub-inspector and constable have been suspended. The station house officer of Revati police station has been removed from his post pending further inquiry.

Vishal Gond has previously been booked in several criminal cases, including murder. The family and local residents protested after Kamji's death, demanding action against those involved. They performed the last rites only after the murder case was registered.