Man Dragged Out of Police Van, Beaten to Death in UP’s Shamli

Police, however, say that Rajendra died of a head injury after he fell from the roof of his house.

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A man, dragged out of a police vehicle, was allegedly beaten to death in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli on Monday, 26 November.

The viral video of the incident purportedly shows that police personnel did not attempt to save the victim identified as Rajendra, the Hindustan Times reported.

Out of the six people who attacked Rajendra, one has been arrested. The accused are identified as Hashim, Rifu, Sadakat, Vasar, Sahadat and Aamir.

According to Hindustan Times, Rajendra was allegedly drunk and was creating nuisance in Hathchoya village on Monday after which police received a complaint and he was taken into custody, said Ajay Kumar, Superitendent of Police, Shamli.

A group of villagers in the video are seen thrashing Rajendra inside the patrol car first in the presence of the cops and later dragging him out of the car. He was later declared dead.

The cops on duty have been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been initiated in the incident.

“Stern action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident.”

Ajay Kumar, Superitendent of Police, Shamli.

Victim Fell From Roof of His House: Police

However, the police have said that Rajendra died of a head injury after he fell from the roof of his house, around two hours after he was allegedly beaten up, The Indian Express reported.

According to the report, Ajay Kumar, SP Shamli, said “The video clip posted on social media is incomplete. Rajendra managed to escape from the police van and was beaten up by the crowd. He did not die in police custody. We have ordered a departmental inquiry and have suspended two constables. The report of his death came around two hours after he got out of the van.”

Before the video of the incident went viral, police had tried to project the incident as case of enmity among villagers.

The villagers blocked Jhinjhana-Un road on Tuesday, 27 November, demanding arrest of the accused after which senior officials assured them on the case, Hindustan Times reported.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times and The Indian Express.)