Varanasi: A murder case has been lodged against two policemen, a village head, and three villagers for their alleged role in the fatal assault on a 42-year-old ‘innocent’ man who was detained at Revati police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district on July 8. Two constables have been suspended, and the SHO has been line-attached.The victim, Kamji Gond, succumbed to the injuries at BHU Trauma Centre in Varanasi on July 10, triggering protests by his family and villagers.In his complaint, Kamji’s son Vishal alleged that on July 7, he had an argument and a scuffle with one Suraj Kannaujia at a chicken and meat shop near Khedan crossing. On Suraj’s complaint, sub-inspector Sachin Saroj and constable Ankit Singh took Kamji into custody on July 8 to pressure the family to produce Vishal before police.Vishal alleged his father was brutally assaulted at the police station. Instead of releasing him to his family, the police officials handed him over to village head Ashutosh Shankar Singh alias Lalu and his driver, Manish Yadav, as per the complaint.Later that evening, Kamji was found unconscious near his house. He was rushed to the local community health centre, before being referred to the district hospital and subsequently to BHU Trauma Centre.As soon as Kamji’s body reached his village on Saturday night, his family and villagers erupted into a rage, staging a road blockade on Sunday morning and demanding action against the accused.Ballia DM MP Singh on Monday ordered a magisterial inquiry. SP Omveer Singh suspended the two policemen. The probe has been handed over to police line CO Manjari Rao, the SP said.Azamgarh range DIG Sunil Kumar Singh called on Gond’s family on Sunday. On Vishal’s complaint, an FIR was lodged against the six accused under BNS sections 191(2) (rioting), 103(1) (murder), 131 (assault), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).The post-mortem examination confirmed multiple injury marks on Gond’s body, but the exact cause of death could not be determined, an official said. The victim’s viscera have been preserved for forensic analysis, added the official.The family expressed dissatisfaction with the post-mortem findings and demanded a fresh postmortem during Sunday’s protest. The agitation ended after police and local public representatives assured the family of a fair investigation and appropriate action.
