Ghaziabad: A 35-year-old contractual worker is in ICU after he broke free from police custody at a community health centre, sprinted towards the main road with constables chasing him, and was struck by a truck in Niwari. His family, however, accused police of custodial torture and “cooking up” an accident narrative to shield those involved.Amit Chaudhary, a resident of Kasba Patla in Niwari, works on contract at the nagar panchayat. According to Surendra Nath Tiwari, DCP (rural), the incident occurred on the night of April 7 when police found Chaudhary “drunk and injured” by the roadside. He was taken to Muradnagar health centre for a medical examination.According to the DCP, the police vehicle stopped inside the CHC compound and Chaudhary got out with two constables. “He somehow freed himself and started running towards the main road. The constables ran behind him, but he collided with a truck,” Tiwari said.Police said they had CCTV footage to back their version. “In the footage, Amit can be seen running towards the road and police personnel following him. Later, he collides with the truck,” the DCP said.Chaudhary, Tiwari said, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and later referred to Yashoda Hospital, where he is in ICU.
Chaudhary’s father, Subhash, alleged his son had no criminal record and was picked up after an argument
Chaudhary’s father, Subhash, alleged his son had no criminal record and was picked up after an argument. He said that around 10pm on April 7, Chaudhary was sitting on a bench outside their house when two policemen arrived on a motorcycle.“A heated argument broke out between them. They called the PRV with more cops, then took him to the police station forcibly without informing us,” he alleged, claiming Chaudhary was “tortured” in custody.Subhash said he learnt about the incident around 1.30am on April 8 through a call from a local resident, Yogendra Singh, who told him that Chaudhary was in hospital after being hit by a truck. “When we reached the hospital, we learnt he had been beaten up at the police station,” he alleged.On Thursday, the family protested outside Niwari police station and lodged an official complaint, following which an FIR was registered against unknown police personnel under Section 109(1) (attempt to murder) of BNS.Tiwari said four cops have been suspended for negligence — sub-inspectors Lokendra Chaudhary and Shahid Khan, head constable Sachin Mohan, and constable Narendra. “They were accompanying Amit Chaudhary to the CHC. We are investigating the family’s allegations too. Action will be taken if any officer is found at fault,” he said.
