Angry locals blame cops for teen’s death, create ruckus at hospital in Virar – Times of India

PALGHAR: Police were rushed to tackle chaos at a hospital in Maharashtra’s Palghar district in the early hours of Saturday after an injured teen, who apparently tripped trying to escape cops, was declared dead, an official said on Saturday.
The police asserted that Vinod Bhoir (18) likely experienced a heart attack while attempting to flee, leading to his demise. However, the family members of the young man contended that he had been subjected to physical abuse.
According to a senior police official who briefed the media at Virar Hospital, Bhoir and his companions were in the vicinity of a Ganpati pandal in Agashi-Kolhapur village when a patrol vehicle from Arnala Sagari police station arrived at the scene around 2.45am.
Upon spotting the police, Bhoir and his friends became apprehensive and attempted to escape. Bhoir stumbled and sustained injuries, explained the official. He was taken to a hospital, where medical professionals pronounced him dead.
Outraged local residents placed the blame on the police for his death and caused a commotion at the hospital, prompting authorities to summon additional law enforcement personnel due to concerns that the situation could escalate.
Subsequently, two relatives of the teenager informed the media that Bhoir had been subjected to police brutality. They claimed that he had been engrossed in using his mobile phone and alleged that three officers from the patrolling team were intoxicated.
The relatives asserted that the police initially hesitated to transport the injured Bhoir to the hospital and did so only after the villagers insisted. They further claimed that when it was time to transfer Bhoir to another medical facility, the police departed the scene. Consequently, the villagers took the teenager to the second hospital, but by then, he had already passed away. Shockingly, the policemen even demanded money from the boys to allow them to be at the Ganpati pandal, according to one relative.
Citing preliminary reports, the senior police official suggested that the teenager most likely succumbed to a heart attack, though the precise cause would be ascertained through an autopsy. He refuted the allegations of police assault.
The official stated that he had spoken with the villagers, and none of them had lodged a complaint regarding police brutality. They only mentioned that the police arrived, and the boys began running in different directions. “Nevertheless, the police will investigate the matter, and if anyone is found culpable, appropriate action will be taken,” he assured.
Senior inspector Kalyan Karpe from Arnala Sagari police station added that Bhoir’s cremation had already taken place, and the situation had since returned to normalcy.
(With inputs from PTI)