Police took money, allege kin of deceased

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 19

The family members of Pika, a Scheduled Caste youth who died while in judicial custody at Rohtak last month, have alleged that certain officials of the CIA wing of the Rohtak police had taken nearly Rs 5 lakh for releasing the youth. But he was not released even after giving the money.

The police had intercepted a truck carrying ganja-patti and arrested nine persons, including four women, of Sulchani village in Hisar district, at Rohtak on the intervening night of October 18 and 19. The arrested persons were produced before a local court on October 19, which sent them to Sunaria jail under judicial custody for 14 days.

Three of the arrested persons – two men and a woman – were admitted to the local PGIMS for treatment as they had fever and other health problems. Both men – Pika and Pujari – died during treatment, triggering protests by their relatives, fellow-villagers and community members.