UP Police soft on criminals, brutal with common people: Priyanka Gandhi

The Uttar Pradesh Police is "soft" on criminal and "brutal" with common people, said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday commenting over the death of a Kanpur businessman after he was allegedly thrashed by policemen.

Priyanka also talked to family members of the victim over the phone, expressing grief and assuring them of help in ensuring justice, party sources said.

Manish Gupta (36) had died in a Gorakhpur hotel during a police raid, prompting the authorities to suspend six policemen and booking them on the charge of murder.

Gupta was staying along with two friends in the hotel.

Police had earlier denied the charge and said he received a head injury after he fell on the ground as he was drunk.

According to reports, a businessman in Gorakhpur was beaten up by police after which he died, Priyanka said.

"The state of jungle law is such under this government that police are soft on criminals and behave barbarously with common people," the Congress leader said in a tweet.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said the incident was the result of the "encounter culture" of the state government.

Meanwhile, BSP supremo Mayawati also attacked BJP government, saying the incident exposed tall claims over law and order.

Reacting to the incident, Mayawati in a Hindi tweet said, "The barbaric act against three businessmen during a raid in a hotel in the CM's home district is very said and shameful."