Contractual Worker in ICU After Police Custody Escape Leads to Truck Collision in Ghaziabad
A 35-year-old contractual worker from Ghaziabad is currently fighting for his life in the intensive care unit after a dramatic incident involving police custody, an escape attempt, and a collision with a truck. The case has sparked serious allegations of custodial torture from the victim's family, while police maintain their version of events is supported by CCTV footage.
The Incident: Escape and Collision
According to police officials, the incident occurred on the night of April 7 in Niwari, Ghaziabad. Amit Chaudhary, a resident of Kasba Patla who works on contract at the nagar panchayat, was found by police "drunk and injured" by the roadside. He was subsequently taken to the Muradnagar community health centre for a medical examination.
DCP (rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari provided details of what transpired next: "The police vehicle stopped inside the CHC compound and Chaudhary got out with two constables. He somehow freed himself and started running towards the main road. The constables ran behind him, but he collided with a truck."
Police authorities claim they have CCTV footage that supports their account of events. "In the footage, Amit can be seen running towards the road and police personnel following him. Later, he collides with the truck," Tiwari stated. Following the collision, Chaudhary was initially rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment before being referred to Yashoda Hospital, where he remains in critical condition in the ICU.
Family's Allegations of Custodial Torture
The victim's family has presented a dramatically different version of events, accusing police of custodial torture and fabricating an accident narrative to protect those involved. Chaudhary's father, Subhash, asserted that his son had no criminal record and was picked up by police following an argument.
Subhash provided a detailed account of what he claims happened: "Around 10pm on April 7, Chaudhary was sitting on a bench outside our house when two policemen arrived on a motorcycle. A heated argument broke out between them. They called the PRV with more cops, then took him to the police station forcibly without informing us."
The father further alleged that his son was "tortured" while in police custody. Subhash stated he only learned about the incident around 1:30am on April 8 through a call from a local resident, Yogendra Singh, who informed him that Chaudhary was in hospital after being hit by a truck. "When we reached the hospital, we learnt he had been beaten up at the police station," Subhash claimed.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the family's allegations and the incident itself, police have taken disciplinary action against four officers. DCP Tiwari confirmed that sub-inspectors Lokendra Chaudhary and Shahid Khan, head constable Sachin Mohan, and constable Narendra have been suspended for negligence. "They were accompanying Amit Chaudhary to the CHC. We are investigating the family's allegations too. Action will be taken if any officer is found at fault," Tiwari assured.
The family's protest outside Niwari police station on Thursday led to the registration of an official complaint and subsequent FIR against unknown police personnel under Section 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
This case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct and custodial procedures in the region, with conflicting narratives creating a complex investigation scenario. As Chaudhary remains hospitalized in critical condition, authorities continue to examine both the circumstances of his initial detention and the events that led to his collision with the truck.
