Jaipur/Alwar: The death of a 22-year-old youth in police custody at Bharatpur’s Udyog Nagar police station has highlighted multiple procedural violations and alleged abuse of power by law enforcement officials.Senior police officials admitted that Gabbar Singh, also known as Bunty, was held for three days at the police station without formal arrest or mandatory court presentation, violating fundamental detention protocols. Repeated appeals from the family to release him went unheard. On Friday morning, the family was suddenly informed of Gabbar’s death. Police said the victim, a hairdresser by profession, hanged himself using a torn blanket in the lockup.Further irregularities have emerged in the handling of the minor girl involved in the case. According to family members, Gabbar and the 16-year-old girl—who is said to be his maternal cousin—married in Mathura and sent photos of their wedding to their families. Under pressure from police, the couple returned and turned themselves in to the police on Tuesday night. The girl was also kept at the police station with her mother, and her statement was recorded the next day.Sources from the local Child Welfare Committee confirmed that despite being brought to the police station on Tuesday evening, the minor girl wasn’t transferred to a shelter home until late Wednesday, another violation of standard operating procedures.Singh’s family has accused the police of torture and alleged that officers accepted bribes to harass him and implicate him under the POCSO Act. While police claim suicide, Singh’s brother Lokesh points to suspicious elements, including the improbability of the alleged method of hanging using a ‘flimsy’ blanket.Despite these serious allegations and clear procedural violations, the police administration’s response has been notably inadequate. The only action taken so far has been the transfer of police station in-charge Ganga Sahay Meena and constable Pawan to police lines.
