Uttar Pradesh: Nine Kanpur Dehat cops suspended after robbery suspect dies in custody

KANPUR: Nine policemen, including a police station-in-charge, have been suspended in connection with the death of a 27-year-old robbery suspect allegedly in police custody in Kanpur Dehat district on Tuesday.
Police had picked up Balwant Singh (27), a resident of Lalpur Saraiya late Monday night, for his involvement in a robber case in Shivli Kotwali police station area of the district on December 6, 2022.
While being interrogated, he complained of chest pain and died in hospital later. His kin, however, alleged that Balwant died due to torture by the police in custody.
Superintendent of Police, Suniti, has suspended nine police personnel, including Shivli police station in charge and Maitha police outpost in charge in the matter.
On the night of December 6, bike-borne robbers allegedly robbed Rs 4.5 lakh and jewellery from one Chandrabhan Singh Sengar, a resident of Lalpur Saraiya, after throwing chilli powder in his eyes. He owns jewellery and fertilizer shops in the area.
A joint team of Shivli police station and Special Operation Group was formed to crack the case. In the process, police had picked up Avinash Kushwaha, Suraj and Shiva alias Kallu for interrogation.
The three revealed the name of Balwant Singh (27), a resident of Lalpur Saraiya, as their kingpin.
On getting information, Balwant Singh walked into the police station on Monday to record his statement. It was while police and SOG team were interrogating him on Monday night that Balwant complained of chest pain. Subsequently, he was rushed to a hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he died after some time.
After his death, his family members created a ruckus and accused police of torture, which led to his death.
Police later sent the body for postmortem.
The suspended policemen include Shivli inspector Rajesh Singh, SOG in charge Prashant Gautam, Maitha outpost in charge Gyan Pandey, SI Sampat Pandey, four head constables -- Sonu Yadav, Anoop Kumar, Durgesh Kumar and Vinod Kumar -- and a constable Jai Kumar.
“Nine policemen have been suspended so that they could not influence the inquiry,” the SP said, adding “after three suspects revealed Balwant's name, he was called to the Shivli police station for questioning. He himself had reached the police station for a statement. During interrogation, he, however, complained of chest pain. Soon, he was taken to hospital, where the doctor declared him dead. Instructions have been given for a fair probe into the entire matter. Further action would be initiated on the basis of findings and autopsy report,” she said.