Azam Khan comes to the rescue of three arrested Muslim youths

BAREILLY: Three young Muslim men, including a student of medicine, were found riding on a bike together and arrested by Uttar Pradesh police. The men were placed under detention at the Azim Nagar police station in Rampur on Sunday. To their surprise, UP minister for urban development and minority affairs rushed to their rescue, visiting the police station and taking an errant police officer to task.

The young men, who were riding three to a bike, were detained by police on charges of rioting and causing loss to government property. Under the norms of the state transport department, only one pillion rider is allowed on a motorcycle.

SP leader Azam Khan arrived at the police station to plead the case of the three youth, and also ordered a medical examination of the ASP-rank police officer responsible for the arrest, alleging that he was drunk while at work.

The police team had earlier asked the youth to show registration papers, but the three young men were unable to produce any documents. Heated arguments had ensued, and local people and acquaintances of the three had gathered, accusing the police of harassment.

When the three were taken to the Azim Nagar police station and detained there, a group gathered outside demanding the release of the youth. Azam Khan was in the city at the time, and hearing of the commotion, rushed to the police station.

Khan hauled up the police officer in charge of the station, Mahendra Pal Singh. He summoned senior officials of the district administration, asking for a medical examination of the police officer, since he appeared drunk while at work.

The police however declined to release the three young men, who were produced before a magistrate on Monday and released on bail.

Later, a medical examination report from the district hospital in Rampur confirmed that the police officer had been under the influence of alcohol. Azam Khan has demanded the suspension of the officer.

Rampur Superintendent of Police ( SP) RK Bharadwaj told TOI, "The three men were detained after they assaulted policemen on duty at the Azim Nagar crossing. This type of behavior will not be tolerated at any cost. Nobody would be allowed to break the law."

Asked about action against the errant police official, the SP said, "I have instituted an inquiry on the charges against the ASP-rank officer. If he is found guilty, he will not be spared."