The textile town of Bhilwara is witnessing tension over the alleged suicide by a lawyer, Amit Kumar Yadav, reportedly after harassment and humiliation in the hands of the local police.
The body of Mr.Yadav, who was found hanging from the ceiling in his house in the Sanganeri gate locality of the town on Thursday, was kept in his residence till Sunday evening without post mortem. A huge gathering, who included members of the District Bar Council kept a vigil over the body. The public was insisting on the arrest of the policemen involved before the body was disposed of.
While Bhilwara town observed a shut down for the third day on Sunday the advocates in the district court as well in other courts in Rajasthan observed a bandh in protest against the alleged atrocity by the police on the lawyer who had the image of an activist.
However, the police authorities point out that there were several cases pending against the deceased.
Though there was no suicide note found from the body of the lawyer a copy of the complaint he had filed against the police of the local police station, Subhash Nagar, mentions about the harassment meted out to him by the cops. The letter also talked about the possible danger to his life from the police. The family left behind him comprises his wife and three small children.
Mr. Yadav, who was of 29 years, was first picked up by police on October 12 after he tried to submit a memorandum to the local MP and Union Minister for Panchayati Raj C.P. Joshi.
He was kept in police custody for two days and was released later. Mr. Yadav soon after filed a complaint against the police. He was again arrested on November 18 and the police personnel reportedly forcibly cut his hair.
Though he was released by evening the police again knocked at his door later and kept questioning him till late night at his residence. His body was found hanging when his wife, who had gone out for a while in the morning, returned.
The District Bar Association is now demanding the arrest of Omprakash Verma, the officer in charge of Subash Nagar police station, Kishen Singh Naruka, sub inspector and three police constables who were involved in the harassment and persecution of Mr.Yadav.
The Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, Rajasthan in a statement here too has demanded arrest of the police personnel involved and transfer of Bhilwara SP P.Ramjee.
