Man Allegedly Dragged by Police During Grievance Redressal Day in Uttar Pradesh
A disturbing incident unfolded at the Sadar tehsil in Kasganj district, Uttar Pradesh, where a 47-year-old man seeking resolution for a land dispute was allegedly subjected to forceful removal by police personnel. The event occurred during the 'Sampoorn Samadhan Diwas,' a designated day for public grievance redressal, sparking widespread condemnation after a video of the altercation circulated on social media.
Allegations of Police Misconduct and Preventive Custody
Santosh Gaur, a plastic goods seller and father of three, arrived at the tehsil on Saturday afternoon to submit a complaint regarding illegal encroachment on his 2.5 bigha land. As he attempted to approach Aligarh division commissioner Sangeeta Singh, an inspector-rank police officer allegedly held him by his collar and dragged him out of the premises.
Gaur further claimed that he was held in preventive custody for nearly four hours, only being released after the commissioner departed for Aligarh. Later that evening, he was produced before the sub-divisional magistrate court under preventive action, where he secured bail and was subsequently released.
Official Response and Conflicting Narratives
Kasganj Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma provided a contrasting account, stating that the complainant attempted to disrupt the public hearing and breach peace and order. According to Sharma, local police took him into custody and initiated necessary legal proceedings as a result.
However, Gaur maintained that he had been engaged in a legal battle for the past three years to reclaim his land. He alleged submitting multiple complaints through various channels, including the inspector general of registration and stamps, the Chief Minister's portal, and public hearings, only to have false reports filed each time. He accused local officials and political representatives of collusion in the ongoing dispute.
Swift Resolution Following Public Outrage
In a significant turn of events on Sunday, a team of revenue officials handed over control of the disputed land to Gaur. District Magistrate Pranay Singh acknowledged the situation, stating that as soon as the matter came to his notice, officials were dispatched to resolve the issue promptly.
Singh announced that Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Digvijay Pratap Singh has been directed to investigate the matter thoroughly. Furthermore, the Superintendent of Police has been instructed to form a fact-finding team to examine the circumstances surrounding Gaur's alleged dragging by the police officer.
Future Plans and Promised Actions
With his land finally returned, Santosh Gaur expressed his intention to establish a gurukul-style school on the property. He revealed that officials have promised to withdraw the legal action taken against him, bringing a hopeful conclusion to his prolonged struggle.
This incident has raised serious questions about police conduct during public grievance mechanisms and highlighted the challenges citizens face in resolving land disputes through official channels. The promised investigations by district authorities will be closely watched to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
