By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 2 Sep: More than 24 hours after a journalist from Rishikesh, Yogesh Dimri, was assaulted, the Police have finally arrested the main accused, Sunil Ganja, under various sections of BNS. It may be recalled that though Dimri had been assaulted yesterday morning allegedly by accused Sunil Ganja’s henchmen and was not only injured seriously but also was first admitted to a local hospital in Rishikesh and then shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, the Police throughout the day yesterday failed to take cognisance of the incident and no case was registered.
Several videos depicting Dimri being assaulted and hit with stones went viral on social media and many news portals of the state, but the Police did not register the case claiming that no one had filed a complaint. Dimri had been publishing and broadcasting news regarding illicit trade of liquor in Rishikesh where liquor is completely banned within the municipal limits.
This morning, Sandeep Bhandari filed a complaint and thereafter Sunil Ganja was nabbed by Rishikesh Police under various sections of BNS, including Sections 109 (1) and 352. However, the Police also filed a counter FIR against Dimri and others at the complaint of Sunil Kumar Ganja.
In a press release issued today, Dehradun district Police have claimed that Rishikesh Police received information about the incident of assault on Yogesh Dimri and his companions in Indira Nagar area yesterday. It had also received information that Yogesh Dimri was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Hospital. Regarding the above incident, the police contacted Yogesh Dimri and his acquaintances and after getting full information about the incident, asked them to submit a written complaint for taking effective action against the accused.
In this regard, this morning, the plaintiff, Sandeep Bhandari, son of Dayal Singh Bhandari, and resident of 14 Bigha, Police Station Munikireti, District Tehri Garhwal, submitted a written complaint regarding the incident at Kotwali Rishikesh that Sunil Ganja beat them and attacked them with a baseball bat, during which Yogesh Dimri suffered serious injuries. On the basis of the written complaint, a case was registered against Sunil Kumar at Kotwali Rishikesh under FIR No 556/24 under Sections 109 (1) and 352 of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The police are also claiming to be conducting a detailed investigation in all aspects of the incident. If the involvement of any other person in the incident comes to light, strict action will be taken against them as well, the press note claims.
The SSP, Dehradun, Ajai Singh has also claimed that the Police are preparing a list of the accused involved in liquor smuggling in the Rishikesh area and soon strict action will be taken against all the accused.
It may be pertinent to point out here that the accused, Sunil Kumar, is a well known history sheeter in Rishikesh and is known as a liquor mafia and smuggler. He has a history of several crimes in this regard and had first hit the headlines two decades ago when illicit hooch sold in Rishikesh had killed around 18 people. In that case the involvement of Sunil Kumar was found, and he had been arrested. Dimri had been running a campaign against the illicit liquor trade in Rishikesh, where within the municipal boundaries no liquor can be sold. Sources however claim that liquor trade is rampant in the city and carries on openly with the backing of certain politicians, the police, administration officers and excise officials.
The questions that are being raised in this respect are why did the Police not take cognisance of the assault on Dimri, and why did it take so long to file the FIR and arrest the accused. Yesterday, this was the main topic of discussion in the media circles in the state throughout the day and several videos were also viral on social media, but the Police remained oblivious. No comments were made by the district police, nor was any case registered which is certainly an unusual thing. These days, the Police often take cognisance on its own of things that go viral on social media and not only take action but also inform the people about the action taken on social media itself. No such thing happened in this case thus bringing a question mark om the Dehradun district Police. Questions also arise also how the illicit liquor trade is allowed to flourish in Rishikesh.
Nishank visits injured Yogesh Dimri in hospital, condemns assault on him
By Our Staff Reporter
Rishikesh, 2 Sep: Former Chief Minister and former Union Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today visited journalist Yogesh Dimri at AIIMS Rishikesh to enquire about his wellbeing and wished him speedy recovery. On this occasion, he also condemned the “cowardly and murderous” attack on Dimri.
Nishank also assured Dimri and others present there that the culprits involved in this incident would not be spared at any cost.
On other hand, so far, no other senior politician has chosen to comment on the incident nor has the local MLA and cabinet Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal commented on the incident, so far.
