Family claims kin died in custody, police denies; video shows DSP refusing action

Police deny claims of misconduct, family demands investigation and compensation after man dies in custody during raid.

Family members of a man who died following a police raid here have demanded action against some cops, alleging his death happened in police custody.

Police have denied their claims, saying he was an accused under the Gangster Act and collapsed while fleeing the police during the raid on Monday (January 6, 2025) night.

A purported video of a deputy superintendent of police speaking to the grieving family members of the deceased man has surfaced online.

In the video, Lakhimpur DSP P.P. Singh is heard saying that there won't be any action against police officers over the incident. "Neither (SHO of) Nighasan (police station) will be suspended nor (SHO of) Majhgain will be suspended. Nor will you get ₹30 lakh (as compensation)," he says in the video.

"Do whatever you can. Keep the body for as many days," the DSP says before walking away.

The family members refused to conduct the last rites before their demands for an investigation into the incident and fair compensation were met.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, too, shared the video on his social media accounts and called the ruling BJP a "heartless party".