AGRA: Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday registered an
FIR
against an inspector and a sub-inspector in Hathras after two brothers died by suicide in Roopdhanoo village in Agra over alleged
custodial torture
and
bribery
. The move comes after directions from chief minister
Yogi Adityanath
's office. Based on a complaint filed by their family, a case was registered at Barhan police station against sub-inspector Hariom Agnihotri and Sadabad SHO Mukesh Kumar under IPC section 306 (abetment of suicide).
Farmer Sanjay Singh, 45, was found hanging from a tree on Saturday, while his elder brother Pramod, 50, a home guard, was found dead in similar circumstances on Monday.
On Saturday, Hathras SP Nipun Agarwal ordered the suspension of the SI and attached the SHO to the police line.
Pramod's body was found hanging from a tree with a suicide note tied to his hand, accusing the officers of torturing him and his brother in custody and demanding Rs 1 lakh. Despite paying a part of the amount, the pressure on the duo continued. A day after Sanjay's death, Pramod filed a complaint against the officers, but Agra police refused to register an FIR.
In his suicide note, Pramod said he had nothing to do with the elopement of Sanjay's brother-in-law with a minor girl. "I was on election duty from April 14 to June 2, but they continued to pressure me for money to keep our family out of the case. I am taking this step because I cannot tolerate the police pressure. I urge UP govt to take care of my family. Jai Shri Ram," he wrote. Pramod was cremated on Tuesday evening amid heavy police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) forces deployment in Roopdhanoo village.
Pramod's wife, Rajni Singh, alleged that
Hathras police
picked up her husband and his elder brother the same evening after Sanjay's suicide. "They were let off the next day with a warning not to file a complaint," she told Agra police.
Agra MP and Union minister of state S P Singh Baghel visited the village on Tuesday and assured justice for the family. "The police action is highly condemnable. The CM has taken cognisance of the matter and ordered assistance for the bereaved family and to send the accused policemen to jail," he said.
Baghel handed over cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Sanjay and Pramod.
The home guard department also provided Rs 5 lakh to Pramod's family. Minister of state for home guard and civil defence Dharmveer Prajapati has promised a job to one family member. The state also announced the allocation of five bighas of land to the families.
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