Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey attached to Lucknow HQ

Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey attached to Lucknow HQ

Digvijay Bhati, the alleged victim of police brutality Digvijay Bhati, the alleged victim of police brutality Meerut : Senior superintendent of police ( SSP), Meerut, Avinash Pandey, accused of illegally detaining and torturing a local Samajwadi Party functionary and farmer leader, along with his Dalit associate for nearly 12 hours on Wednesday, has been attached to the state police headquarters in Lucknow with immediate effect. The incident occurred on Wednesday when they visited the SSP’s office to present evidence proving they were not present during a July 8 protest and to request the removal of their names from a related FIR, according to Bhati. The controversy erupted after Digvijay Bhati, president of BR Ambedkar faction of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), released video statements showing significant injuries, including a heavily swollen eye and extensive bruising across his body. Meerut police initially released a statement on X claiming the two men sustained injuries in a two-wheeler accident after leaving the Civil Lines station.

“I have ordered a fast-track, high-level inquiry to be conducted by Saharanpur Range DIG Abhishek Singh,” ADG Bhaskar stated. A high-level probe has been ordered into the matter by ADG Bhanu Bhaskar . Bhati alleged that he and his associate, Mohit Jatav, were subjected to hours of brutal physical assault by senior police officials and the Special Operations Group (SOG). However, the statement was retracted shortly after ADG of Meerut Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, instituted an independent probe. The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the alleged assault, demanding a thorough investigation and strict disciplinary action, including dismissal from service, for anyone found culpable.