– Akhilesh Tripathi
Lucknow: A case has emerged in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, concerning the death of a man named Irfan in police custody. While the police claim that Irfan died of a heart attack, his family alleges that he was tortured by the police.
The incident stems from a property dispute between Shafiq Begum, a resident of Mohalla Hatim Sarai under Raisatti police outpost, and her son Arkan. To mediate the dispute, Shafiq invited her nephew Irfan, who resided near Khaggu Sarai Pariyon Wala Temple. Acting as a witness, Irfan facilitated a settlement where Shafiq handed ₹6 lakh to Arkan. Despite the settlement, Arkan refused to vacate the property.
On January 20, an altercation occurred between Shafiq and Arkan, during which Arkan assaulted her. Suspicious that Irfan may not have delivered the full ₹6 lakh to Arkan, Shafiq lodged a complaint against Irfan at Raisatti police outpost.
Subsequently, five policemen detained Irfan from his residence for interrogation. During the questioning, Irfan’s condition reportedly deteriorated, and he died on the spot.
Following his death, Irfan’s wife Reshma, their children, and other family members gathered at the police post, joined by local residents who began protesting. The situation escalated, prompting senior police officials to deploy reinforcements, including personnel from PAC and RAF.
Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi claimed Irfan’s death was due to a heart attack. However, Irfan’s widow, Reshma, accused the police of negligence and mistreatment. She stated: “Five policemen took my husband from our home. He had recently undergone nasal bone surgery in Moradabad and needed medication. The police didn’t allow him to take his medicine. Later, we were told he had died. We have five children who are now left without support.”
Irfan’s son Afran Raza echoed these claims, saying: “The police ignored my father’s requests for medicine. Even as his condition worsened at the police post, they refused to let him take it. If he had been allowed his medicine, he might still be alive.”
Reports suggest Irfan died at Raisatti police post. However, SP Vishnoi maintains that Irfan’s condition deteriorated at the post and that he died after being taken to the hospital. This contradiction raises questions about the circumstances of Irfan’s death and has put the police under scrutiny, with allegations of a cover-up intensifying.
