POLICEMEN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MEAT TRADER

LUCKNOW: Day after a meat merchant, who was allegedly beaten by two policemen succumbed to his injuries, Bareilly police registered on Friday a case against the accused policemen and charged them with murder.

Confirming, SSP Bareilly Kalanidhi Naithani said, “Family of Mohammad Salim Quraishi submitted a complaint against two policemen and others, blaming them for his death. We have registered a case in the matter and initiated investigation.”

Salim, who owned a meat shop in Baradari area of Bareilly was reportedly detained by two policemen on June 14. The policemen allegedly took Salim to a banquet hall where they thrashed him with sticks and other objects. The policemen later abandoned an injured Salim. The accused constables are Shripal Singh and Harishankar Munna.

The SSP has already suspended the accused constable and the police post incharge. The reason why they detained Salim and Wahab and what made them attack him has not been ascertained yet.

Injured Salim was recovered by relatives the next day and was taken to hospital where his condition worsened. The family members later took him to AIIMS where he died of his injuries on June 21. His family members, relatives and locals staged a protest in Baradari following his death. The protest was called off on the assurance of senior police officials that the accused in the case will be arrested.

According to the police complaint submitted by Salim’s kin, husband of a local councillor was also involved in perpetrating the crime. Based on the complaint filed by the family, police have registered an FIR regarding the matter. “All the four accused have been charged with murder (Section 302 of IPC) and other relevant sections of the IPC. The case is being investigated by Baradari police,” informed the SSP.

Salim’s dead body was brought to Bareilly and was taken for postmortem investigation. Police are waiting for the report to add charges in the FIR.