Dalit Family Alleges Boy Accused Of Theft Dies After Assault By UP Police, Cops Suspended

A 17-year-old Dalit boy died in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. However, the family members of the boy allege that the boy was brutally assaulted by police when he was in custody over allegations of stealing his uncle's cellphone.

Three policemen - a sub-inspector and two constables - have been suspended and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident that took place in Sampurana Nagar, around 230 km from Lucknow, according to a report by NDTV.

PTI

The protesters alleged that the deceased, who is survived by his mother and two sisters, died on Sunday morning, days after the police beat him up during questioning in a case of the alleged theft.

The local village head said, ¡°On January 17, the boy¡¯s uncle reached his home and accused him of stealing his cell phone the day earlier. He alleged that the phone belonged to his son.¡±

Two days later, the teenager was summoned to the local police outpost after his uncle filed a complaint. Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Suman told the Indian Express: "The accused and his uncle were called to the police outpost. The boy came with his parents. His uncle and the village pradhan [chief] also attended the meeting. The boy was questioned in the presence of these persons."

"After two hours, both the parties reached a compromise. The compromise was in writing and it is available with the police. The boy was handed over to the family and they returned home at around 3 pm on January 19," he added.

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He said the boy was admitted to the hospital on the same night and he died this morning.

"That is when his relatives alleged that he died after being beaten up by the police. We will investigate the allegation. If policemen are found responsible, they will face action," Suman said.

However, the sister of the boy told reporters that the police sent her mother away when they called him for questioning and beat him mercilessly with belts. "He fell to their feet and asked them to stop."

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