The accused policemen claimed that Mr Ahmad died in a stampede after police raided the premises
A rice mill owner was battered to death here allegedly by seven police personnel including two sub-inspectors who had raided the premises over suspicion of gambling, prompting authorities to order a magisterial probe.
Jalal Ahmad, 40, was killed by the seven police personnel who punched and assaulted him with rifle buts, according to a police complaint filed at the Kemri police station, about 40 km from here.
Mr Ahmad's family alleged that the seven policemen entered the mill and started abusing him late on Saturday. They demanded Rs one lakh, saying they could implicate him in a false case.
When Mr Ahmad refused, the policemen mercilessly thrashed him, causing severe injuries to him, his family told reporters.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
The accused policemen have been taken off active duty and sent to the police lines by Rampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Tyagi. Acting collector Madan Singh Garbial has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, police sources said today.
The incident sparked protests in the area as scores of residents of Kemri town and adjoining areas gathered and started raising slogans against the accused.
As tensions prevailed, authorities deployed a large contingent of police personnel to bring the situation under control.
The SP and District Magistrate intervened and mollified the agitating mob and assured them of appropriate actions.
Meanwhile, an accused sub-inspector has filed a complaint alleging that illegal activities like gambling were being organised in the mill by its owner and that Rs 6,700 has also been recovered from the premises.
The accused policemen claimed in the complaint that they did not beat mill owner Ahmad but he died in a stampede that took place after police raided the premises following a tip-off about gambling activities.