Dalit youth dies in police custody in Kanpur , murder case against police personnel

Kanpur August 5:A murder case was registered against five police personnel, and 12 others were suspended, following the death of a 26-year-old Dalit man in custody under suspicious circumstances on Thursday in Kanpur.

Violent protests erupted in Chakeri area as news of Kamal Valmiki’s death at the Ahirwan police station spread. His family alleged that he died due to police brutality.

“He was subjected to third degree torture resulting in his death,” his sister Rekha said.

Valmiki’s death was discovered on Thursday afternoon when Rekha went to see him at the station. He had been brought in for interrogation two days ago in a case of burglary, along with another man, Raju Mistri.

Mistri is now missing. A case of kidnapping was registered against the policemen, NDTV reported.

Kanpur’s senior superintendent of police, Shalabh Mathur, said they were investigating the entire matter, and were looking for Raju as well.

Valmiki’s body was sent for post mortem.

An angry mob pelted stones at policemen and tried to set station on fire later in the day. The protesters also blocked traffic on National Highway 2 , causing a severe traffic jam. Police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and restore traffic movement.