Meerut police chief transferred as eight officers recalled amid custody torture claims
SSP Avinash Pandey was moved to Lucknow and eight Meerut police officers were recalled after farmer leader Digvijay Bhati and Mohit Jatav alleged they were beaten while in custody.
Farmer leader Digvijay Bhati, president of a BKU faction, and associate Mohit Jatav claimed they were detained, beaten and subjected to casteist insults by Meerut police and Special Operations Group after seeking removal of their names from a July 8 protest FIR. Bhati released video showing a swollen eye and accused SSP Avinash Pandey of kicking him, while Jatav reported swollen legs and hearing problems. State ADG Bhanu Bhaskar transferred SSP Pandey to Lucknow, recalled eight officers—including the Civil Lines SHO, two sub-inspectors and five constables, and tasked DIG Abhishek Singh with a fast-track inquiry.
Police had first dismissed the claims on X, attributing injuries to a scooter accident, but removed the post shortly before the probe began. MLA Atul Pradhan, who helped secure the men’s release, demanded an FIR against Pandey and called for his removal, reviving scrutiny of police conduct after earlier protests that prompted intervention by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Why it matters
The case highlights alleged police abuse and caste-based violence, prompting official investigations and political pressure.
In this story
