Pregnant woman dies after alleged police assault in Firozabad, six personnel suspended

Six police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, were suspended after the family of a pregnant woman alleged that she was kicked in the abdomen by police personnel who had arrived to arrest her husband in a theft case in Shikohabad, officials said.

According to the family, Sub-Inspector Dharmpal Singh and a police team went to Gaurav’s house in Labhaua village around 11.45 pm on Sunday. When his pregnant wife Anjali, 28, pleaded with police not to take him away, Singh allegedly kicked her in the abdomen.

The police took Gaurav, 32, away, while Anjali’s condition later deteriorated. She was admitted to a hospital in Shikohabad, where she delivered a baby boy on Monday morning.

Her condition worsened after the delivery and she was shifted to a private hospital in Firozabad, where doctors declared her dead, according to the family. The newborn is also in critical condition and has been referred to Agra.

Police later released Gaurav after learning of Anjali’s death, the family said. Villagers subsequently protested at the police station and questioned the police action.

Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ravi Shankar Prasad said SP Aditya Langhe suspended Sub-Inspectors Dharmpal Singh and Satyapal Singh, Head Constables Mohan Singh and Arvind Kumar, and Constables Bhavtosh Kumar and Kuldeep Kumar with immediate effect for negligence.

Anjali’s post-mortem was conducted late Monday night and her last rites were performed the same night, the official said. A large police force was deployed during the proceedings.