Court Orders DIG-Level Probe Against Meerut SSP and 250 Policemen

Court Orders DIG-Level Probe Against Meerut SSP and 250 Policemen

A court has ordered a DIG-level investigation into allegations of police misconduct during a protest in Meerut seeking justice for Lalita Gautam, with the complaint naming SSP Avinash Pandey and around 250 police personnel. The order follows a complaint filed by advocates Ravi Kumar Gautam and Mahesh Kumar alleging that police used force against protesters and prevented them from meeting senior officials at the district collectorate.

Protesters Allegedly Stopped From Meeting DM

The incident took place on July 8, when a large number of people reached the Meerut Collectorate demanding justice in the Lalita Gautam murder case. According to the complaint, the protesters intended to submit a memorandum and meet the District Magistrate but were allegedly prevented from entering the collectorate.

The protesters subsequently staged a sit-in outside the premises. The complaint alleges that police personnel later arrived in large numbers and verbally abused and assaulted both male and female protesters.

Petition Challenges Local Police Investigation

Advocate Anil Pradhan, representing the complainants, separately questioned the impartiality of a proposed investigation by the Civil Lines police. Since the allegations themselves concern the conduct of police personnel from the local jurisdiction, the petition argued that obtaining an investigation report from the same police establishment could compromise its independence.

The complainants therefore sought an investigation by a senior officer outside the local police station. Taking the allegations seriously, the court directed the DIG to conduct the inquiry and submit a report.

Ravi Gautam Says Earlier Police Report Was Rejected

Speaking to Bahujan Lives Matter, advocate and activist Ravi Kumar Gautam said the complainants had challenged an earlier report submitted by the police.

“We had sent a report to the police and requested the court to reject the CO’s report and direct the DIG to conduct a fresh investigation,” Gautam said.

According to Gautam, the court has now directed an inquiry involving five senior police officials as well as other personnel involved in the incident. “The court has ordered an investigation into around 250 police personnel,” he said.

DIG Asked to Submit Report by August 20

Gautam said the DIG has been directed to conduct the inquiry and submit the report by August 20. He also said the protesters intend to continue their constitutional protest after the report is submitted.

“We will sit there alone after the 20th,” Gautam said, referring to the restrictions imposed under Section 144. He added that once the restrictions are lifted on August 27, the protesters would announce their next course of action.

The DIG-level inquiry is now expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the July 8 police action and examine the allegations made against the police personnel named in the complaint.