Man hit by truck while fleeing police custody in Ghaziabad dies

Ghaziabad: The death of a 35-year-old man who, police said, was hit by a truck in Niwari while escaping from custody has become controversial, with his family accusing the cops of “cooking up” an accident narrative. Amit Chaudhury died on Sunday night at a hospital.He was a contractual worker at the nagar panchayat. According to the police version, he broke free from police custody at a community health centre, sprinted towards the main road with constables chasing him, and was struck by a truck. His family, however, accused the police of custodial torture.Chaudhary’s father, Subhash, alleged his son had no criminal record and was picked up after an argument. He said that around 10pm on April 7, Chaudhary was sitting on a bench outside their house when two policemen arrived on a motorcycle.“A heated argument broke out between them. They called a police response vehicle with more cops, then took him to the police station forcibly without informing us,” he alleged, claiming his son was “tortured” in custody.Subhash said he learnt about the incident around 1.30am on April 8 when a neighbour, Yogendra Singh, called him to say that his son was in hospital after being hit by a truck. “When we reached the hospital, we learnt he was beaten up at the police station,” he alleged.An FIR was registered against police officers who were yet to be identified under Section 109(1) (attempt to murder) of BNS.After the incident, the DCP (rural) suspended four cops — sub-inspectors Lokendra Chaudhary and Shahid Khan, head constable Sachin Mohan and constable Narendra — for negligence. They were accompanying Chaudhary to the CHC.Tiwari said an investigation against the police personnel is underway. A team has been formed to nab the truck driver, who will face action for causing death by negligence under BNS.