In dry Gujarat, ‘inebriated’ cops beat up 19-year-old

A local who spotted the boy’s ravaged body lying on the pavement woke up the city Mayor Kanoji Thakor staying nearby. The Mayor called for an ambulance but despite his intervention, the boy just lay at the hospital for about 18 hours before he got some medical treatment.

Recalling the incident, Mayor Kanaji Thakore says, “I called up the hospital later to see that he got proper treatment. I visited the boy on Sunday night but he was being operated upon then. We will support his family with the treatment costs.” However, according to the boy’s uncle, they have received no help so far. Bipin’s family members who live by cleaning shops and driving rickshaws have already spent Rs 5,000. His mother alleges that the policemen took away Bipin’s savings, Rs 9,200 that was on him.

With the assailants still at large, the family is under pressure to withdraw the complaint they lodged against the trio. “But we are not going to give in,” they said. Joint Commissioner of Police Mohan Jha says a hunt has been launched for the cops and action will be initiated against them.