Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has alleged that cases of death in police custody have increased in Uttar Pradesh and the state government should work towards restoring law and order in the state.

In a social media post on X, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote, “According to reports, a person died in police custody in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. The family members allege that he died due to police beating. The job of the police is to protect the general public. It should not become synonymous with cruelty, oppression, and murder. The cases of deaths in custody have increased a lot in Uttar Pradesh. This is very dangerous for the public. The state government should rein in this cruel system and restore law and order.”

Besides Jalaun, in another disturbing incident of alleged custodial death, a drunk man allegedly caught and taken by the police was reportedly found dead on railway tracks in Chitrakoot district. The incident is said to have occurred on Sunday, when the inebriated man, identified as Anshu, was caught by the police for creating a ruckus during a Muharram procession. It is learned that the police took him to the station; however, his dead body was found on the railway tracks later.

After the incident came to light, the police have been accused of killing Anshu and throwing his body on the railway tracks.

In their defence, the police said Anshu ran away nine minutes after he was brought to the police station. They also said that CCTV footage of him running away was also with them.