Bijnor Police Encounter Video Sparks Investigation Into Alleged Brutality
A disturbing video has surfaced from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, showing several policemen—some in uniform and others in civilian clothes—repeatedly slapping and punching an accused man in front of his two-storey house before dragging him by the collar into a waiting vehicle. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, around 3-3:30 AM, and has raised serious questions about police conduct during arrests.
Video Evidence Contradicts Official Police Narrative
The six-minute clip, filmed by a local resident, purportedly shows the accused, identified as 36-year-old Suheb Ahmad, on the terrace of his house as police slowly climb the stairs from narrow bylanes to apprehend him. After being caught, Ahmad is seen being assaulted by multiple officers in front of a small crowd before being taken away, reportedly "barely able to walk."
This visual evidence directly contradicts the police's official version that Ahmad was injured during a retaliatory fire after he allegedly tried to escape custody by snatching a head constable's pistol and opening fire. The man was later shot in the leg in what authorities describe as a "police encounter," and he is currently hospitalized.
Police Officials Respond to Circulating Footage
Deputy Inspector General of the Moradabad range, Muniraj G, acknowledged the challenges of the arrest, stating, "It took a lot of effort and almost an hour to arrest the accused that night. The videos on social media are being looked into..." This indicates that authorities are examining the footage as part of their investigation into the incident.
Bijnor Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha issued a statement addressing the video, saying, "Based on the video, it is being widely claimed that the accused was unable to walk or move, which is completely false. This claim is merely an assumption based on incomplete information about the incident." The police maintain that their actions were justified given the circumstances.
Background of the Case and Community Tensions
The events leading to Ahmad's arrest began earlier that night when residents in the Purana Dhampur neighborhood, approximately 40 kilometers from Bijnor city, accused Ahmad and his aides of barging into their house "with the intention to harm them." He is also alleged to have attacked houses of members of right-wing groups and robbed them, prompting locals to approach police demanding immediate action.
Following a complaint by Amit Sharma, who operates a Jan Seva Kendra, a First Information Report was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
- Section 333: House trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint
- Section 109(1): Attempt to commit an offence
- Section 305(A): Robbery-related offence
- Section 324(4): Mischief causing damage to property
- Section 125: Act endangering life or personal safety
Police revealed that Sharma and Ahmad had engaged in a heated argument earlier in the week, and Ahmad allegedly targeted him and other neighbors in the early hours of Saturday.
Demolition and Community Perspectives
In a subsequent development on Saturday, authorities used bulldozers to demolish a portion of Ahmad's house, claiming it had been "constructed on government land." This action adds another layer to the ongoing legal and administrative proceedings against the accused.
Law enforcement officials further noted that some members of Ahmad's community in the area have asserted that the incident should not be given a "communal color," describing him as a noted troublemaker who frequently misbehaved with almost everyone in the locality. This perspective highlights the complex social dynamics at play, with community members distancing themselves from Ahmad's alleged actions while the video evidence raises broader concerns about police methodology.
Ahmad was successfully arrested, though his accomplices remain at large. The case continues to develop as investigations into both the criminal allegations against Ahmad and the police conduct captured in the video proceed simultaneously, drawing significant public and media attention to law enforcement practices in Uttar Pradesh.
