New Delhi: The Republic Day celebrations in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur saw a special guest taking part. This special guest was none other than an autorickshaw driver who was reportedly harassed by a traffic policeman last month.
The 48-year-old auto driver, identified as Rakesh Kumar Soni, was sent an invitation for the event by Kanpur District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap, PTI reported. The invite was given after Soni shared what had happened to him in a public hearing three days back.
What actually happened
Rakesh Kumar Soni, a resident of Hanumant Vihar in Kanpur district, was driving his vehicle to Baradevi locality on December 30 last year when it reportedly got stranded in a traffic jam near Naubasta.
As Soni was trying to navigate through the traffic snarl, his auto was allegedly struck with a baton by a traffic policeman Ishwar Singh. This led to a verbal altercation when the cop reportedly tore the curtain of Soni’s vehicle and hurled abuses at him. In a more disturbing detail, Soni claimed that the accused, Ishwar Singh, also attempted to force a plastic baton into his mouth.
After the alleged harassment, Soni complained against the policeman. But, he alleged that no action was taken against the accused even though he lodged his complaint with the traffic control room.
As he was disappointed with police inaction, he approached the then-district magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh. He requested the official to permit him to be euthanised at the Gandhi statue on Republic Day. In response, an investigation was initiated by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Archna Singh, but no action was taken before Rakesh Kumar Soni was transferred.
Later, Jitendra Pratap Singh took over as the district magistrate. Soni brought the entire incident to the new DM’s attention yet again. The new district magistrate stated that such treatment of any citizen was unacceptable and invited Soni to be a part of the Republic Day function. On Saturday, an official invite was sent to Soni. Jitendra Pratap Singh reportedly pointed out that restoring Soni’s honour and dignity was crucial and that’s why he was invited to the Republic Day event.
