Dalit activist alleges police inaction in PAC jawan’s death, booked

MEERUT: A Meerut-based Dalit activist alleged police inaction in the death of a 25-year-old PAC jawan. The activist, Ravi Kant Gautam, was booked by police following an altercation with SHO of Hapur police station.

The jawan, Ankit Jatav, died on April 21 after a truck hit his motorcycle near police lines in Hapur. An FIR was filed and the truck driver was identified as Ravindra Das, a Meerut resident. Das was booked under IPC sections 279 (rash driving), 338 (grievous hurt by acts which endanger life), 427 (acts of mischief causing loss or damage) and 304 A (causing death by negligence). He was presented before a court and was granted bail the same day.

Gautam alleged the investigation officer took bribes to dilute the case. “Ankit was on duty at the time of the incident but police misled the court and presented a fake leave application signed by the PAC commandant. All this was done to make this case weak so bail could be easily granted,” Gautam said.

Police booked him and Rohit Kumar under IPC sections 385 (putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 504 (willfully offending someone to provoke them) and 506 (criminal intimidation). SHO of Hapur Dehat police station Mahendra Singh said, “Gautam called the CUG number on the night of May 18 around 11.30pm and misbehaved with me. He alleged that police took bribes in the accident case. Action has been taken against him accordingly.”

Gautam, national president of Shoshit Kranti Dal (a Dalit rights group), refuted the charges and alleged police fabricated the story.


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