Police in Dehradun have taken three individuals into custody following serious allegations of hurting religious sentiments and posing a health risk by selling discarded mattresses and blankets that had been used by deceased persons. The arrests were made in the city's Ranipokhri area, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The Complaint and Swift Police Action
The case came to light after a member of a right-wing organisation, identified as Amit Singh, filed a formal complaint on Saturday evening. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case and made the arrests on Monday. The three accused have been named as Sanjay, Salman, and Hamid Ali. While Salman and Hamid are residents of Ranipokhri, Sanjay hails from Rishikesh.
Station House Officer Vikendra Kumar stated that the complainant learned about the illicit activity from a friend. Subsequently, a case was registered under the stringent BNS Section 299, which deals with malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any community.
Unraveling the Disturbing Trade
During the investigation, police uncovered the modus operandi of the accused. According to SI Kumar, Sanjay would collect used mattresses and blankets that were disposed of after a person's death. Instead of ensuring their proper disposal, he allegedly sold these items to Salman and Hamid at a rate of Rs 30 per kilogram.
The duo, operating from their shop, would then extract the old cotton from these discarded mattresses. This material was then mixed with fresh cotton to create new mattresses, which were sold to unsuspecting customers at a higher price. The police confirmed that during questioning, all three accused confessed to being involved in this business.
Community Outrage and Health Concerns
The actions of the accused have sparked significant outrage. The complainant argued that this trade not only severely hurt the religious and sentimental values of his community but also posed a grave public health risk. Mattresses used by the deceased can harbour pathogens and pose sanitation issues, endangering the health of anyone purchasing the adulterated products.
This incident highlights a disturbing breach of both ethical and public health norms. The use of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section indicates the seriousness with which authorities are treating offences related to religious sentiments. The police action aims to send a strong message against such exploitative and insensitive practices.
