Hisar: Kin seek FIR against cops for teen’s death, stage protest

Tension gripped the town as the family members of 16-year-old Ganesh, along with Dalit rights activists, staged a dramatic semi-naked protest on Friday demanding justice for the teen’s death. The Class X student allegedly died after falling from a rooftop during a police chase on Monday night.

The family has been staging a dharna outside the Civil Hospital for the past four days, refusing to take the body for cremation until their demands are met. According to reports, the incident occurred during a birthday celebration at a house in the 12 Quarters locality, where loud DJ music was being played. The police reportedly arrived to object to the noise, which led to a verbal altercation between them and the youngsters present.

As tensions escalated, more police personnel arrived and allegedly tried to catch the youths. In the resulting chaos, Ganesh reportedly fell from the terrace and later succumbed to his injuries. His family and local community members have alleged that the police used excessive force. They claim that Ganesh was not only chased but was also assaulted and that other youths were beaten and dragged during the incident.

The protesting family members and activists marched from the Civil Hospital to the Inspector General’s office at Fawwara Chowk, semi-naked, to register their anger and grief. Ganesh’s father, Vikram Kumar, led the protest, reiterating the family’s firm stand that no cremation would take place until an FIR is filed against the police personnel allegedly involved.

The family had earlier met with the Deputy Commissioner, demanding an impartial and independent probe. A five-member committee of activists has been formed to represent the family in talks with the administration. However, with no FIR registered yet and no disciplinary action announced, the family remains resolute.

Their demands include the registration of a murder case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the responsible police officers, a judicial inquiry, a video-recorded postmortem conducted by a medical board and the immediate suspension and legal action against the officers involved.