BJP leader missing in UP after detention, family alleges illegal police custody

A former BJP district president who was taken to a police station following a dispute and later released after a settlement has gone missing in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district.

A habeas corpus petition seeking the production of the missing leader, Pritam Singh Kisan, is scheduled to be heard in the Allahabad High Court on Monday.

According to case details, a dispute broke out on the night of October 18-19 at Kisan’s petrol pump in the Rath police station area of Hamirpur. In his petition, Kisan claimed that a group of miscreants attacked his petrol pump staff, prompting him to fire in the air in self-defence.

He reportedly made multiple calls to the local police station and on the emergency helpline 112 but received no assistance.

Later, a police team comprising around 25 personnel later reached the spot. However, instead of taking action against the attackers, the police allegedly detained Kisan and seized his licenced rifle. He was taken to the police station that night and has been missing ever since.

According to the habeas corpus plea, Kisan has been in illegal police custody since October 19.

It is also claimed that both parties were brought to the police station, where a compromise was reached the next morning through mediation. Following the settlement, Kisan was reportedly released to his family. Some people are said to have dropped him home in a car.

Kisan was later seen meeting acquaintances on October 21 and 23, after which he went missing.

Police began tracking his mobile phone, which was last traced near his residence adjacent to the petrol pump. A search operation was conducted under the supervision of a gazetted officer and an administrative magistrate, but he could not be found.

Subsequently, a habeas corpus petition was filed in the Allahabad High Court on October 27, which will be heard on Monday, and the Hamirpur police have been directed to produce Kisan before the court.

Pritam Singh Kisan, a former BJP district president, is known to be close to several ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government. He had contested the 2007 Assembly elections and the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

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