A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district as a 46-year-old woman, identified as Lakshmi Yadav, reportedly died by suicide in the early hours of Sunday morning. The circumstances surrounding her death have led to widespread outrage and allegations of police misconduct, intensifying tensions in the region.
According to sources, Lakshmi Yadav was taken to the Dadon police station for questioning regarding a case of alleged abduction. Her brother had been named as the prime accused in the case, and authorities had called her in for an inquiry linked to the investigation. However, residents and her family claim that during her time at the police station, she was subjected to physical abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the police officers, leading to extreme distress and, ultimately, her tragic decision to end her life.
Senior police officials, however, have refuted the allegations of custodial torture. Sanjiv Suman, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Aligarh, firmly denied any physical abuse, stating:
“We have reviewed the CCTV footage from the police station, which shows Lakshmi Yadav seated in a chair. No visible injuries were noted on her body. Additionally, the post-mortem examination confirmed that she died by suicide.”
Despite these assertions, authorities took measures to pacify the escalating anger among locals. As part of disciplinary action, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Dadon police station, Yogendra Singh, was transferred to the police lines. Furthermore, an inquiry into the incident was launched, with Amrit Jain, Superintendent of Police (SP) for Aligarh Rural, tasked with investigating the matter. Officials assured the public that further action would be taken against any officer found guilty following the inquiry’s conclusion.n
Lakshmi Yadav’s body was discovered at approximately 6 AM on Sunday. However, what followed was an intense standoff between residents, the deceased’s grieving family, and the police.
Refusing to hand over her body for post-mortem examination, her family members insisted that legal action be taken against SHO Yogendra Singh, whom they accused of subjecting her to severe physical assault during interrogation. The demand for murder charges against the officer gained traction, and villagers gathered in significant numbers to voice their outrage. The protestors raised slogans against the police, condemning what they claimed was a blatant abuse of power and injustice against the victim.
For more than seven hours, the villagers resisted police intervention, escalating tensions in the area. Authorities struggled to control the situation as the crowd remained steadfast in their demand for justice, highlighting the broader concerns about police accountability and misconduct.
As emotions ran high, senior police officials assured the public that an impartial and thorough investigation would be conducted. The inquiry led by SP Amrit Jain is expected to examine all aspects of the case, including statements from witnesses, CCTV footage, medical reports, and any evidence that could shed light on the circumstances leading to Lakshmi Yadav’s tragic demise.
Meanwhile, legal experts and activists have called for greater transparency in the investigation, emphasizing the need for independent oversight to ensure fairness in the proceedings. Human rights organizations have also expressed concerns over the incident, highlighting the recurring issue of alleged custodial violence and its devastating consequences.
The death of Lakshmi Yadav has left her family shattered and her village in grief. Many residents have expressed their fears about police brutality and the lack of accountability in such cases. As the inquiry unfolds, the people of Harnot Bhojpur and beyond await justice, hoping that the truth will emerge and necessary actions will be taken against those responsible if found guilty.
This incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of individuals in police custody and the need for stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. Until the investigation reaches its conclusion, the case remains a focal point of controversy, raising critical questions about law enforcement practices and the protection of fundamental rights in India.
