Tragic Custodial Death Sparks Protests and Calls for Investigation in Uttar Pradesh
The death of 32-year-old Mohit Pandey in police custody has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice, particularly after CCTV footage emerged showing his deteriorating condition while in a Chinhat police station lock-up. The footage, lasting just over a minute, shows Mohit lying on the floor of the lock-up, visibly unwell, while his brother, Shobharam Pandey, tries desperately to assist him, rubbing his shoulders and calling for help. The footage ends without any police intervention, despite the visible distress.
Family Alleges Torture; Police Deny Claims
Mohit’s death occurred on Saturday afternoon, when he was declared dead on arrival at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital at approximately 2:30 pm. The family has alleged that Mohit was tortured while in custody, leading to his death. However, the police have denied these allegations, asserting that the cause of death was natural.
In response to the incident, an FIR was filed against several individuals, including the station house officer of Chinhat police station, Ashwini Kumar Chaturvedi, a porter named Adesh, and Mohit’s uncle, among others. The charges include murder under Section 103(1) and criminal conspiracy under Section 61/2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Family Protests, Demands CBI Probe
Following Mohit’s death, his family staged a protest outside the Mantri Awas in Vibhuti Khand on Saturday, demanding justice. The family refused to cremate his body until a thorough investigation was conducted. They specifically called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident. The protest grew in intensity, drawing the attention of local leaders, including Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Pooja Shukla, who participated in the sit-in protest but was taken into custody by the police.
In a show of solidarity, BJP MLA Yogesh Shukla visited the grieving family, offering his condolences and assuring them of a high-level investigation. He also mentioned that Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak had assured the family of support and justice.
Opposition Criticizes Yogi Government
The tragic incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders in Uttar Pradesh, with many highlighting the rising instances of custodial deaths under the ruling BJP government. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X, expressing concern over the growing number of custodial deaths in Uttar Pradesh, calling out the police for allegedly murdering Mohit and accusing the state of leading the country in custodial deaths.
Similarly, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the incident, referring to the police custody as a “torture house” and urging the government to fulfill every demand of the victim’s family. He expressed strong support for the family’s quest for justice, further intensifying the calls for accountability and action.
A String of Custodial Deaths
Mohit Pandey’s death is the second such incident in just 15 days, following the custodial death of Aman Gautam, a Dalit man, in Lucknow. This marks a troubling trend of increasing custodial deaths under the Yogi Adityanath government, fueling both public outrage and political discourse in the state.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
With the investigation into Mohit’s death still underway, his family, local leaders, and the public are calling for transparency and accountability from the authorities. The family’s demand for a CBI probe highlights concerns over the objectivity of the police investigation, as allegations of torture and foul play continue to surround the case. As the protests unfold, the pressure is mounting on the state government to ensure that justice is served for Mohit and that those responsible for his death are held accountable.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for reforms in police custody protocols, as well as a deeper scrutiny of the treatment of detainees, to prevent further incidents of abuse of power and human rights violations in the state.
