In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a Home Guard committed suicide, unable to bear the beatings and harassment by the inspectors. Before taking this drastic step, the guard had informed the Divisional Commandant of Jhansi through a written complaint, detailing the entire incident. In his complaint, the deceased mentioned that he was assaulted for opposing illegal extortion. Deeply distressed, he stated that he could tolerate no more since he was uneducated and asked for forgiveness if he made any mistakes.
Surjan Singh Patel, a 57-year-old Home Guard residing in Thapak Bagh's Khuman Ka Bagiya, Jhansi, had a son and a daughter, both married. According to his son Anoop Patel, Surjan Singh worked as a cook at the Ambabai Training Center. He went to duty as usual on Wednesday, where Inspectors Lakshmishankar and Subhash Yadav extorted money from the training Home Guards. When he opposed this, they assaulted and humiliated him, locking him in a room. Somehow, he managed to climb the wall and reach the old training center, where, out of deep distress from the assault and verbal abuse, he ingested poison.
Home Guard Commits Suicide Due to Inspector Beating
He was rushed to Jhansi Medical College in a hurry, but he succumbed during treatment. A complaint letter addressed to the Divisional Commandant was found with him. It stated, 'The trainees are being harassed; one of the trainees had a wedding, and Inspector Subhash extorted 1500 rupees from him. When I resisted, Subhash and Inspector Lakshmishankar beat me and locked the gate. I jumped over the wall to escape, otherwise, they would have killed me. They accused me of being drunk; if that were the case, they should have had a doctor check me. But they had no right to assault me.
Police Register Case and Begin Investigation
I felt deeply insulted. Both were drunk and beat me with sticks; that's why I'm committing suicide. I am uneducated, so please forgive me if I made any mistakes.' SP City Gyanendra Kumar stated that Surjan Singh was posted at Amabai Training Center under the jurisdiction of Sipri Bazaar police station. A complaint was found in his possession, which he had given to the Divisional Commandant, accusing the two inspectors of assault and harassment. Following this, he consumed poison and committed suicide. Based on the family's complaint, a case has been registered against the accused, and action will be taken accordingly.
