A 29-year-old electrician, arrested in connection with a theft case, died under highly suspicious circumstances in a Lucknow jail last week, with his family levelling serious allegations of police brutality and medical negligence.
Arrest and Allegations of Torture
Mithun Kumar, a resident of Sitapur who lived with his wife and two children in a rented house in Lucknow's Aashiana area, was picked up by police from his workplace on December 16. The arrest followed a theft complaint at a house where he had gone for electrical work.
His elder sister, Manorama, stated that the family was not informed about his detention. They spent three frantic days searching for him, repeatedly approaching the Aashiana police station without receiving any information or help. It was only after a call was made to Dial-112 that police finally admitted Mithun was in their custody.
The family claims that when they met him, Mithun revealed a horrifying account. He alleged he was taken to a police outpost where officers beat him with belts and sticks and kicked him repeatedly on the chest, leaving him in severe and persistent pain.
Deteriorating Health and Lack of Medical Care
Despite his visibly deteriorating physical condition, Mithun was allegedly kept in police custody for several days without any medical examination or treatment. He was subsequently sent to jail on December 19.
Relatives who met him in jail on December 21 and 26 reported that he consistently complained of acute chest pain. His pleas for proper medical attention appear to have gone unheeded by the authorities.
The situation reached a critical point on the evening of December 26. The family received a call from jail officials informing them that Mithun's health had worsened and he had been shifted to Balrampur Hospital. When they rushed to the hospital, they found him in a critical state. He was later referred to the KGMU trauma centre, where doctors declared him dead.
Jail Authorities Acknowledge Injuries
In a significant admission, Lucknow Jailor Ritwik Priyadarshi confirmed to the Times of India that Mithun was lodged in jail on December 19. He noted that at the time of admission, Mithun was already unwell and had not eaten anything.
Priyadarshi revealed a crucial detail: "He was brought to jail along with two to three other individuals. During the initial medical examination, injury marks were noticed on his body, including bruises on the back and shoulder region." This statement directly corroborates the family's allegations of physical assault prior to his incarceration.
The case has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police conduct and the treatment of individuals in custody. The family's allegations of torture, coupled with the jailor's confirmation of pre-existing injuries, point to a potential case of custodial violence and subsequent negligence. Authorities are expected to face mounting pressure for a transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to Mithun Kumar's untimely death.
