Bahraich SHO Booked for Murder After Accused Dies Following Police Interrogation
Bahraich: A murder case has been lodged against the Station House Officer (SHO) of a local police station and several unidentified police personnel in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district after a 55-year-old trader died under controversial circumstances following questioning in a minor rape case.
The deceased, Ram Gopal alias Rakesh Srivastava, who operated a medical store in the area, had been named in a First Information Report (FIR) a day earlier on allegations of sexually assaulting a minor girl when she was alone at her residence.
Conflicting Accounts Over Police Custody.
According to police officials, Ram Gopal appeared at the police station voluntarily along with his nephew, Ankur Srivastava, after being summoned for interrogation.
However, the family has strongly contested this claim, asserting that he was forcibly taken away by police personnel.
Tensions escalated following his death, prompting family members and residents to stage demonstrations demanding strict legal action against those responsible.
The FIR alleging custodial killing was registered on the complaint of the deceased’s son, Aniket Srivastava, authorities confirmed.
Circle Officer Pawan Kumar stated that, to ensure neutrality and transparency, the investigation into the death has been handed over to the Kotwali police station in Bahraich. He added that the post-mortem examination report is awaited.
Allegations in the Original Case
In the earlier complaint, the minor’s father accused Ram Gopal of molesting and raping his daughter on February 22.
He further alleged that the accused threatened the child with dire consequences if she revealed the incident.
The matter reportedly came to light when other family members returned home, and the girl disclosed what had happened.
Sequence of Events Leading to Death
Police maintain that Ram Gopal’s health deteriorated while he was at the police station, after which his nephew was instructed to take him to the district hospital for medical attention. He later succumbed during treatment.
However, a video circulating locally features the deceased’s nephew, Ayush Srivastava, alleging that police personnel had taken Ram Gopal from his home.
He claimed that when family members approached the police station to inquire, they were verbally abused and warned not to return.
Ayush further stated that about an hour later, a resident informed the family that Ram Gopal’s condition had worsened. When he reached the police station, he allegedly found him lying in a critical state.
According to Ayush, the police then transported him to a house located about 100 meters away and left him there. He said he personally rushed Ram Gopal to the hospital in his vehicle, where doctors declared him dead.
“I believe he was assaulted inside the police station, which led to his death. The SHO and other officers must be held accountable. We demand justice and financial assistance for the bereaved family,” Ayush said.
Investigation Underway
Officials have confirmed that both cases — the sexual assault complaint against Ram Gopal and the case related to his death — are being investigated thoroughly.
Authorities have also stated that the law and order situation in the region remains stable.
The outcome now hinges on forensic findings and the ongoing inquiry, which is expected to determine whether custodial violence played a role in the businessman’s death.
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