By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 May: In the past few weeks, Police officers in Uttarakhand have faced charges of torture and issuing threats. In some cases, police officers have been suspended during these weeks for their alleged roles. Now fresh allegations of police torture have surfaced in Dehradun, days after a youth in Pauri’s Satpuli reportedly took his own life following alleged custodial harassment. A youth named Sagar has accused police personnel at Dhara Chowki under Nagar Kotwali of assaulting him on Friday night. Sagar has claimed that he was beaten, locked up and later forced to seek medical treatment at Doon Hospital. Two days after the incident, Sagar and his associates staged a protest at the outpost, alleging further threats from the Sub-Inspector (SI) posted there.
According to Sagar, he was returning with a friend on a scooter after collecting medicines from Doon Hospital around 10–11 p.m. when police stopped them for checking. He said he showed his prescription and medicines but the police attempted to seize the scooter. When he began recording the incident on his phone, his mobile was allegedly snatched and he was taken to Dhara Chowki. He claimed that, once inside, he was assaulted by a constable and the outpost in-charge, booked under Section 151 for disturbing peace, and kept in the lock-up overnight despite pleading that his health was deteriorating. He later managed to reach hospital through an acquaintance, where he was admitted for treatment.
Sagar further alleged that when he questioned the chowki in-charge the next day about the assault, he was told bluntly that no action could be taken against the police. He said he was compelled to arrange bail and accused the police of confiscating another phone during the episode. The incident has naturally sparked anger among the local residents, who accompanied Sagar to the Dhara Chowki and demanded an explanation. Heated exchanges followed before police pacified the crowd and sent them home.
In response, Nagar Kotwali in-charge Hariom Chauhan dismissed the allegations, stating that the youth was apprehended during ‘Operation Prahar’ around midnight while roaming without valid scooter documents. He said the vehicle was seized, the youth misbehaved with police, and was therefore placed in lock-up before being released on bail the next day. Chauhan categorically denied any assault by police personnel.
The case has now drawn public attention, with the youth demanding justice and clarity on why he was allegedly beaten in custody, while police officials claim that due procedure was followed in the case.
