A youth from Lower Arniala village near Una has accused the owner of a restaurant-cum-gym in Una city of abducting him, assaulting him and subjecting him to electric shocks over suspicion of his involvement in a recent fire incident at the establishment.
According to the complaint lodged with the police, Dipanshu alleged that the restaurant owner, identified as Ishan Thakur, along with employees Gobind, Ashu and Sakshi, mercilessly beat him at the restaurant located on the Una-Hamirpur road near the district hospital.
He further alleged that the accused forcibly pushed him into a vehicle and took him to a farmhouse, where he was again assaulted and given electric shocks.
The complainant claimed that a major fire had broken out at the restaurant around a month ago and that the owner suspected his involvement in the incident.
Tension prevailed in the area late last night after scores of residents from Lower Arniala village blocked one side of the four-lane road in front of the restaurant, alleging that the police had failed to take prompt action despite the seriousness of the allegations.
A police team, led by ASP Sanjeev Bhatia, reached the spot and assured the protesters of a fair inquiry, following which the demonstrators dispersed around 10 pm.
Dipanshu’s mother, Kanchan, alleged that the police were adopting a biased approach in the matter. She said neither the family nor the villagers protesting against the incident were satisfied with the police response.
Demanding police protection for the family, she further alleged that the main accused had threatened to kill the entire family after being released from jail.
ASP Bhatia said that an FIR had been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) immediately after receiving the complaint. He added that the victim had undergone a medical examination at Una District Hospital.
The ASP said the police had sought a report from the Chief Medical Officer regarding the nature of the injuries sustained by the complainant so that further legal action could be initiated.
