Local police will henceforth not investigate cases of custodial deaths and human rights violation with the Uttar Pradesh Government on Tuesday deciding to refer all such cases to the Crime Branch of the CID (CB-CID).
The Home Secretary, Mahesh Gupta, said here on Tuesday that in such cases action is taken against the guilty persons, including suspension and departmental proceedings. But it is not advisable for the local police to investigate such cases, he added.
Four cases of custodial deaths have been reported in the State so far this year and these would now be investigated by the CB-CID. The first case was reported from Allahabad on February 13 under the Ghurpur police station area in connection with a murder. One of the accused, Kamlesh, died in custody on February 15, following which nine policemen were placed under suspension. This case has been referred to the CB-CID, said the ADG (Law and Order ), Brij Lal.
The second incident of custodial death occurred in Hardi police station area of Bahraich district on March 20 in which a person died in the lockup. Post mortem report showed that he had been strangled to death. Mr. Lal said two policemen, including the station in charge, were suspended.
The station in-charge of Sardara police station in Sitapur district was suspended following the death of one Harihar while in custody in the night of April 16-17.
Mr. Lal said the fourth case was reported from Etah on April 17 when Vijay Singh, the father of a warranty, Ishwar Dayal, died in police lock-up. A case under Section 302 IPC was registered and seven policemen were placed under suspension. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered in the case.
