Garhwal Post Bureau
Nainital, 8 May: In a major administrative action following the suicide of a youth in Khairna area of Nainital district, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath TC has suspended the Khairna police chowki and has line attached all these personnel to police lines. Acting on the complaint lodged by the deceased’s sister, the SSP has also ordered preliminary action and suspended five policemen including the post in-charge to the lines. He stated that the step was taken after questions were raised in connection with the death of Balam Singh Bisht, a resident of Lohali village in Betalghat, who had levelled allegations of misconduct against the police personnel.
The SSP noted that the measure was necessary to ensure that investigation and inquiry into the case are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. According to reports, on 28 April Balam Singh Bisht was filming the river and hills in Khairna when he had an altercation with some policemen. He was subjected to a medical examination which confirmed alcohol consumption, after which he was booked under the Police Act and handed over to his family. His relatives alleged that while returning home he called his sister Munni Jalal and brother-in-law to inform them that policemen had misbehaved with him, broken his SIM card and taken away Rs 5,000 from him.
It is alleged that under this mental stress Balam committed suicide. In the suicide note left behind, he also accused policemen of misconduct. On the basis of the complaint filed by his sister and the suicide note, a case has been registered. The SSP has removed Khairna chowki in-charge Ramesh Pant along with a woman constable and four other personnel, posting them to police lines, while new appointments have been made at the post. Munni Jalal has made it clear that the family is seeking justice and strict action against those responsible.
