Former Haryana cop dies during argument with UP policemen, son cries foul

A retired sub-inspector (SI) of the Haryana Police died after he reportedly intervened in an argument between Uttar Pradesh (UP) cops and his neighbour in Rajeev Nagar locality on Saturday night.

While deceased Tilak Raj’s family blamed the cops for the death, the local police said the Uttar Pradesh cops had arrived here to question a woman in connection with a case registered in that state.

Tilak Raj’s son Mohit said the incident occurred around 9 pm when the UP police personnel, reportedly without a female officer, forcibly tried to detain a woman residing in his neighbourhood. Hearing her cries, Tilak Raj came out of house and intervened.

“My father opposed the use of force by the cops. In response, one of the policemen pushed him violently to the ground. He lost consciousness immediately. To make matters worse, their vehicle also hit his leg,” he alleged.

“We rushed him to PGIMS, where doctors declared him dead. He was a heart patient and the push caused a fatal shock. We demand a strict action against the policemen involved,” Mohit maintained.

Mohit claimed that the police team had arrived in a private vehicle and tried to act without a proper procedure. “I have filed a complaint with the local police in this regard,” he added. No FIR was registered till the filing of this report.

However, ASI Sunny, in-charge of the Sukhpura Police Post, denied the allegations.

“Tilak Raj experienced breathing issues when he came out to intervene in the argument. His family brought him back into the house, where he suffered a heart attack. No injuries were inflicted by the UP police,” he claimed.

The ASI added that the Uttar Pradesh Police team came to record a statement of the woman in connection with a case registered in that state. “We have received a complaint from the deceased’s son. Appropriate action will be taken after the autopsy report is received,” he added.