Youth found dead in Bishada, family alleges police harassment

A 24-year-old man was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his house on Tuesday, heightening tension in the village after his family alleged that he was facing police harassment following the lynching of a man in the village over beef-eating rumour.

The man identified as Jay Prakash worked as a daily labourer. The incident was reported around 11 am, after which a police team was rushed to the village in Dadri, UP.

Agitated villagers did not allow Prakash’s body to be removed from the spot until the arrival of media personnel. The police later took away the body and said the cause of death could be ascertained only after the post-mortem examination. “There are visible signs on Jay Prakash’s body, suggesting the cause and time of death. <g data-gr-id="30">Investigation</g> has been taken up but no conclusions can be drawn until the postmortem report is obtained,” said SI Ranvir Singh.

Jay Prakash lived with his mother Omvati, wife Guddi, and two brothers. His father Ram Avatar Singh had passed away a few years ago. Their house is a stone’s throw away from <g data-gr-id="32">residence</g> of Iqlakh, 50, who was killed by a mob a week ago over <g data-gr-id="33">rumour</g> that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat.

Jay Prakash was the eldest of the three siblings. Prakash’s mother Omvati alleged police harassment and said that her son was under immense pressure despite his name not being in the list of absconders.

Villagers said police had been looking for Prakash and his two brothers for one week and his family was terrified.

“Police are raiding houses in the village every day, leading to tension. They are harassing all, including people like Jay Prakash whose name was not present in the absconders’ list,” alleged Hari Ram Singh, a village representative. Senior police officials confirmed that Jay Prakash’s name was not in the list of absconders and denied allegations about raiding houses and spreading any kind of terror.