Cop ties youth to tree, lashes him

Infamous for custodial torture, the brutal face of the Uttar Pradesh police once again came to the fore on Wednesday when an officer reportedly thrashed a youth with a belt after tying him to a tree inside the station.

According to reports, Tinku (26), a resident of Rasoolabad, was a suspect in a motorbike theft case. He was brought to the police station in Kanpur Dehat district, about 150 km from here, for interrogation.

According to Tinku’s family, he was brutally tortured by Kehjhari police outpost in-charge K K Gautam despite repeatedly pleading innocence and denying any involvement in the theft. The matter came to light on Wednesday when a video showing the use of third degree methods by Gautam went viral on social networking sites.

The video footage showed Tinku being tied to a tree and Gautam hitting him repeatedly with his service belt. The cries of the youth could also be heard in the video. Sources said that Gautam had been reprimanded by his superior officers following a spate of thefts in the area and had been asked to solve the cases.

Taking serious note of the torture, district police officials said a probe would be conducted. Stern action would be taken against the officer if it was found that he had, indeed, used third degree methods to force a confession, they said. “It is a serious issue and a blatant violation of human rights.” a senior district police official said.