'Keep the body, do whatever you can': UP cop loses cool at family protesting custody death - Video

NEW DELHI: A video of Uttar Pradesh police officers dismissing a grieving family of an accused who died during police raid has gone viral on social media.

The video, also shared by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, showed circle officer (CO) PP Singh from Dhaurahara in Lakhimpur telling the family, "Neither we will suspend cops nor will give you compensation of ₹30 lakhs. Keep the body for as many days as you want ... 3 days, 4 days, however long you need. Do whatever you can. We are leaving."

Sharing the video, the Congress MP wrote: "The Constitution of India gave strength to the Dalits and the deprived by giving them rights against injustice and oppression. In BJP rule, neither the Constitution is respected nor the rights of the deprived classes."

"When a family from a deprived society raised questions against atrocities, look at the behavior of the BJP government's police," she added.


Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also shared the same video saying: "BJP is a heartless party."


Ramchandra Maurya, a resident of Hulasi Purwa village in Lakhimpur Kheri, died in police custody. According to his family, he had left home to collect firewood. During this time, police personnel from Majhgai station and Nighasan Kotwali detained Ramchandra and his companion. The police claim that Ramchandra was involved in the illegal production of alcohol and had recently been charged under the Gangster Act.

While in custody, Ramchandra reportedly suffered a heart attack and passed away. His family has alleged that he was brutally beaten in custody, leading to his death. When his condition deteriorated, the police transported him to Nighasan CHC, where he was declared dead, Navbharat Times reported.

The family staged a protest with the body, demanding suspension of the accused police officers, a government job for one family member and ₹30 lakh in compensation.

Reports suggest that the police forcibly took the body for post-mortem in Lakhimpur. Upon learning that the body was being returned to the village, a large number of villagers blocked the road at Bamhanpur crossing with bikes and tractors. Police forces from Singahi, Nighasan, Dhaurahara, Tikunia, Palia, and Neemgaon stations were deployed to the scene, where a lathicharge ensued to disperse the crowd.