‘They destroyed our celebration, threw away all the food, and took away money from our guests,’ said Mohammad Ahmed, the father of the bride
Team Clarion
RAMPUR – A shocking incident has come to light from Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh, where the local police have been accused of vandalising a Muslim wedding celebration, discarding food, and stealing money. These grave allegations emerged after the police allegedly intervened at the wedding based on rumours that beef was being served.
The incident has sparked outrage, and the Superintendent of Police, Vidya Sagar Mishra, has ordered an investigation into the matter.
The incident occurred during the wedding ceremony of Mohammad Ahmed’s daughter, held in Dhanupura village, located in the Bhot police station area of Rampur. According to reports, guests were enjoying a meal when rumours began circulating that beef was included in the food. This led the police to arrive at the scene, where they were accused of causing chaos. Family members of the bride claimed that the police not only threw away food but also beat up the people present at the event. In addition to this, the police allegedly confiscated the money that was given during the Bhaat ceremony, a traditional ritual in which gifts and money are given to the bride’s family.
The family has levelled serious allegations of police brutality and theft, saying the officers destroyed the celebration and caused immense distress to the wedding guests.
“They destroyed our celebration, threw away all the food, and took away money from our guests,” said Mohammad Ahmed, the father of the bride. “It was supposed to be a joyful occasion, but they turned it into a nightmare. They hurt our guests and left us in complete shock.”
In response to these serious allegations, Superintendent of Police Vidya Sagar Mishra clarified that the police had initially gone to Dhanupura to resolve a dispute. However, according to Mishra, when some individuals attempted to flee, the police ended up at the wedding location by chance. He stated that the accusations made by the family hosting the wedding had been investigated, and further action would be taken based on the findings. Mishra firmly denied the claims of food being discarded and money being stolen, saying, “The matter of looting beef and money has been found to be false.” However, he did acknowledge that the incident had created significant tension, and the police would look into it thoroughly.
“We went there for a separate issue, and it was not related to the wedding,” Mishra added. “We are investigating the allegations and will take appropriate action based on the findings.”
This incident is not the first time that serious allegations have been made against the Uttar Pradesh Police. Over the years, the UP Police have been accused of a range of misconduct, including extrajudicial killings, extortion, and bribery. The allegations have sparked controversy and calls for greater accountability within the force. One such case involved an encounter in Bahraich, where the police were accused of wrongdoing after shooting an accused individual named Mangesh Yadav. The police faced scrutiny for their handling of the encounter, and accusations of excessive use of force were raised.
Another troubling case occurred on August 4 in Firozabad, when Rs 7 lakh were reportedly stolen from businessman Rakesh Jain. Police arrested two suspects based on CCTV footage, but after taking the suspects into custody, they were allegedly shot in the legs by the police. The mother of one of the accused, Gaurav Yadav, has made serious accusations against the police, including claims that the officers planted evidence and used excessive force.
The Rampur wedding incident has added to the growing dissatisfaction with the police in Uttar Pradesh, particularly over concerns about police brutality and their treatment of citizens. Many in the local community have expressed outrage over the incident, believing that the police acted unlawfully and violated the rights of those involved in the wedding. Critics have called for immediate action to hold those responsible accountable.
“The police cannot act as if they are above the law,” said a resident, who preferred to remain anonymous. “They have caused great harm to the reputation of the police force and have caused unnecessary distress to innocent people.”
As of now, the investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Rampur Police department under scrutiny. The public and the family involved in the wedding are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the inquiry to determine whether the police officers involved will face any legal action. The incident has also reignited discussions about police conduct in Uttar Pradesh, where many believe the force has operated with impunity. In light of this and other recent allegations, many are calling for systemic reforms and stronger oversight of the police in the state to prevent further abuses of power.
“We need reforms in the police system to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” said another resident. “People are losing trust in the police, and that is a serious concern.”
As the investigation unfolds, the people of Rampur and the broader community will be watching closely to see how the authorities handle these serious allegations. The outcome may have wider implications for police accountability and public trust in law enforcement in the region.