UP man, injected with acid in custody, dies

If you thought that petrol was only to be filled in fuel tanks of vehicles, you have to ask the Uttar Pradesh Police. Infamous for its brutality and utter disregard for human rights, police personnel in the state have allegedly injected a murder suspect with petrol and acid inside a police station, in an apparent bid to extract a confession.

The victim, identified as Balbir, a resident of Etah district, was also made to sit on a red hot plate. Balbir, who was admitted to King George Medical College here after his condition deteriorated, died on Thursday, according to officials.

Four policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector, have been suspended in this connection. An inquiry has been ordered, sources said.

Balbir and some others were detained by the Avagarh police in Etah district a few days ago in connection with the murder of a man on April 7. Balbir’s family alleged that the police tortured him for his confession. He was injected with petrol and acid and made to sit on a hot plate, besides being beaten up in custody, they alleged.

Unable to withstand the torture, Balbir fell unconscious. He was admitted to hospital in Etah, but shifted to Lucknow after his condition deteriorated, sources said.

The postmortem report revealed that there were several injury marks on Balbir’s body. Family members alleged that he was not given any food in custody.  His body was taken to his village on Saturday, sources said. 

Tension gripped the village and security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. “An inquiry will be conducted and the guilty will not be spared,” officials said.