UP CM met family of custodial death victim

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met the family members of trader Mohit Pandey, who died in police custody over an alleged attack, and announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh to them, officials said. The government will also take care of the education expenses of the deceased’s children, they said.

Pandey (30) died on Saturday after he was allegedly beaten up by police officers following his arrest in the case, his family said.

Following the unrest, authorities on Sunday ordered an investigation into police officers on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. The management of the police station, including those detained, has been suspended. According to the statement, the Chief Minister expressed condolences to the family members of the deceased and directed officials to provide them ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh, housing, free education for children and access to various government schemes.

He also assured the family that those responsible for Pandey’s death would be given strict punishment and promised that the culprits would not be spared.

The opposition has attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the recent custodial deaths. On Monday, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav fired a fresh salvo.

“I wish those who take life could give their life as compensation. Those who extinguished the light of someone’s house on Diwali, we hope that they do not light the lamps of lies, they do not try to remove the deep darkness of their reign. with false light. The public is asking whether a bulldozer will be used on a person who died in custody!” Yadav posted a message on X in Hindi.

Pandey’s mother Tapeshwari Devi along with her wife and children visited the chief minister’s official residence on Monday morning. After the meeting, the family expressed a sense of relief.

“We are satisfied with the meeting with the chief minister. He assured us that he is fully aware of the case and that there will be no leniency. Once the investigation is completed, strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Tapeshwari said.

Bakshi Ka Talab MLA Yogesh Kumar Shukla and Councilor Shailendra Verma were also present at the meeting. Pandey, a resident of Jainabad in Chinhat district, died in hospital in police custody. His family said his death was caused by police brutality.

The incident caused a major political furor with the Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party criticizing the BJP government. Earlier on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav said the term “police custody” should be replaced with “torture house” and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the BJP had “established such a jungle raj in a state where police have become synonymous with brutality.” BSP chief Mayawati called the incident “highly reprehensible” and said the government must take effective steps to ensure justice to the victim’s family.

According to the police, Pandey was taken to the community health center after he became unwell at the police station.

From there he was transferred to a larger facility, where he died, they said.

However, Shobharam, the victim’s brother, who claimed that he was also in custody for some time, alleged that the police beat Pandey “mercilessly” in front of him and sent him to hospital only after he died.

On Sunday, a CCTV video surfaced online, purportedly showing Pandey lying inside the locker.

The victim’s family members accused the police of deliberately leaking only a small part of the footage to save their back, alleging that Pandey was beaten to death.