Two police officers were booked on Friday on charges of murder of a 15-year-old Dalit boy in Sonipat even as Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar claimed that the teenager committed suicide.
Murder charges were slapped against two Assistant Sub Inspectors of police, said Superintendent of Police, Sonipat, Abhishek Garg.
He said the two cops were also booked under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on the direction of National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission.
The Commission also summoned Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ratan and SP Abhishek Garg to its Delhi office on October 26 with status report.
The post mortem report will throw light on why the suicide took place and for what reasons. As per information, two families Gadia Lohar and Dhanik had some dispute over the issue of some money and pigeon. There was a dispute of Rs 6,000. Their matter was resolved in police station where two persons mutually decided to equally contribute the money. However, one family gave its share and other has not given.
Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Haryana
The victim’s family, however, alleged that he was beaten up by police and died in custody after being accused of pigeon theft.
There was no questioning (of minor boy). He himself went to the police station. One family went with the complaint where matter was resolved. After the matter was resolved, they went to their house and during night suicide took place, as per unofficial information.
Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Haryana
The Chief Minister announced a job for one family member and monetary compensation for the family while maintaining that the police had not questioned him.
The family of teenage Dalit boy, Govind, alleged that the police had put pressure on them to cremate the boy on Thursday night.
About eight to ten policemen came to our home at 11 PM last night and put pressure on us to perform last rites then and there.Their behaviour was not good and after we denied to perform the last rites they went back.
Sanjeet Devi, Govind’s Mother
The deceased boy’s uncle, Ram Nivas, fears police harassment in future as well.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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