Bikru ambush: 5 years on, injured policemen asked to repay medical aid
: Five years after the Bikru ambush in Kanpur in July 2020, the incident has returned to the spotlight due to a notice served on injured police personnel, directing them to return the financial assistance they received for treatment from the government at that time .
The order, issued by Kanpur's DCP, headquarters, has caused concern among the five policemen who had sustained injuries during the raid on the night of July 2-3 2020. Eight police personnel were killed in the ambush by gangster Vikas Dubey and his henchmen.
The injured officers—sub-inspectors Kaushlendra Pratap Singh, Sudhakar Pandey, and Ajay Kashyap, head constable Ajay Singh Sengar, and constable Shivmurat Nishad—were reportedly granted ₹6.5 lakh each for medical expenses by the police department in the aftermath of the carnage.
According to the notices, copies of which are with HT, the amount was disbursed from the Jeevan Rakshak Nidhi (Life-Saving Fund) and must now be recovered. The fund corpus is managed by the police headquarters (PHQ), which provides financial assistance in case of medical emergencies to policemen.
Joint commissioner of police, law and order, Ashutosh Kumar said this was a kind of temporary and interest free loan given for medical emergencies. The recipient must submit the bills countersigned by the chief medical officer to avail rebates.
'In this case, this has been a mistake on the part of the policemen. That is why the notices for recovery were issued,' he said.
DCP, headquarters, SM Qasim Abidi said as per the rules, the amount has to be accommodated. 'The PHQ has been sending the reminders for the accommodation funds given to the injured policemen,' he said.
The directive stipulates a 15-day window for the policemen to repay the amount, failing which a 20% deduction will be effected from their monthly salaries.
The injured officers, taken aback by the sudden demand, approached the joint commissioner of police (crime) and apprised him of their concerns.
One of the injured, Kaushlendra Pratap Singh, said that at no point over the last five years were they informed—either verbally or through written communication—that the disbursed amount was recoverable. The assistance, which included ₹1.5 lakh in cash at the time of hospitalisation and an additional ₹5 lakh via cheque, was, according to them, described as aid sanctioned by the state.
All five officers were admitted and treated at a private hospital in Kanpur following the ambush, with the sanctioned amount primarily used for their medical care.
Singh said, 'Had we known it was a loan or liable for recovery, we would have opted for treatment on our own expense and later claimed reimbursement through the standard departmental procedure.'
The officers added that the remainder of the money was spent over time on recovery-related needs.
'We are in no position to return such a substantial sum suddenly. If deductions are enforced, it will severely impact our financial stability,' they stated in a memorandum submitted to the JCP.
The incident occurred on the night of July 2-3 2020, when a police team led by then circle officer, Bilhaur, Devendra Mishra, reached Bikru village to arrest gangster Vikas Dubey. Dubey and his henchmen ambushed the team, killing eight policemen and leaving five others critically injured.
The massacre triggered widespread outrage. A massive manhunt culminating in the deaths of Dubey and six of his close aides in separate police encounters over the following week.
The recent notice to injured policemen has evoked sharp criticism within police ranks. Many view it as a bureaucratic overreach that risks demoralising field officers who face danger in the line of duty.
Singh and others point out that if it was a loan, they must have applied for it somewhere.
'We did not sign any requisition letter nor applied for it. Our families got ₹1.5 lakh in cash the next day of the encounter, and the cheques for ₹5 lakh each came from the department,' said Singh.
In their five-page memorandum, the policemen categorically stated that their families should have been informed that it was a departmental loan and not financial assistance from the government.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
17 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Five years after Sushant Singh Rajput's death, sister Shweta urges fans not to lose heart even if CBI has submitted report
Agencies On Sushant's 5th death anniversary, sister Shweta remembered him fondly. On this day, five years ago, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment. The news of his demise sent shockwaves across India, leaving both the film industry and millions of his admirers in a state of collective grief and disbelief. Known for his powerful performances, intelligence, and magnetic presence, Sushant's loss still feels deeply personal to the passage of time, the circumstances surrounding his death remain clouded by unanswered questions and ongoing legal complexities. The official explanation continues to be scrutinized, with public opinion divided and investigations still surrounded by controversy. Yet amid the ambiguity, what remains certain is the profound emptiness left behind by his absence. On his fifth death anniversary, his sister Shweta Singh Kirti took to social media to pay a heartfelt homage to the 'Kai Po Che' star. Taking to Instagram, Shweta reminisced about her late brother and his zeal for life and learning. She also urged fans not to spread negativity in his name. Her message delved into the ideals Sushant embodied: a boundless enthusiasm for life, a deep intellectual curiosity, and a sincere, childlike innocence that endeared him to everyone. Through her words, she urged fans not to let grief translate into despair or bitterness but instead to honor her brother by embracing kindness and learning—qualities he passionately stood revealed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had submitted its findings regarding the case, and her family was in the process of reviewing them. But more than legal progress, her focus remained on encouraging people to stay resilient and faithful, both to goodness and to divine timing. For Shweta, Sushant's soul continues to exist not just in her memories but in the people who uphold his her moving appeal, Shweta also urged Sushant's followers not to allow his name to be misused as a symbol of negativity or hate. She emphasized that every act of unconditional love, every curious question asked, and every innocent joy experienced helps revive Sushant's spirit in some way. She reminded everyone that he was a symbol of inspiration, not conflict. Shweta expressed a desire to see his legacy carried forward by those who light up the world with positivity, just as he did. "Every time we love with all our heart, every time we have childlike innocence towards life, and every time we are inclined to learn more, we are bringing him alive. Never use Bhai's name to spread any negative feeling… he wouldn't like that. Let his legacy continue…" she wrote. In March, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented its report to a special court in Mumbai, following a prolonged and high-profile inquiry. The initial investigation conducted by the Mumbai Police had concluded that Sushant Singh Rajput's death appeared to be a suicide. As reported by the Times Of India, officials at the time found no signs of forced entry into his residence, and early observations pointed towards mental health struggles, with depression being considered a possible factor. His body was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan, a detail that deeply shocked the nation. However, the absence of a suicide note at the scene raised further questions, fueling speculation and demanding a more in-depth probe. In June 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was discovered unresponsive at his apartment in Mumbai, a heartbreaking moment that stunned the nation.
The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Police reluctance: Bengaluru man forced to wait 15 days to register complaint for motorcycle theft
Despite repeated assurances of a 'people-friendly' approach by the Bengaluru police, a local resident was forced to wait over two weeks just to get his complaint of a stolen motorcycle officially registered. K. Ramesh, a 57-year-old private employee residing in Prashanth Nagar, decided to register a missing complaint with the police when he was unable to find his scooter, which was parked outside his office, on May 28. When he approached the Vijaya Nagar police, they asked him to go to Govindaraja Nagar police citing jurisdictional issue. However, the Govindaraja Nagar police asked him to 'come back after three days as officials concerned are not available,' he alleged. Upon returning after three days, he was allegedly sent back home again — this time for a week. The police said that they were busy with the ongoing stadium stampede case and bandobast duty. What followed next was multiple visits, repeated explanations, and vague assurances, but no FIR. The police even asked him to revise his complaint and mark his scooter as missing' rather than 'stolen'. 'It was disheartening. Every time I went, I was told something new — 'system down', 'officer on special duty' or 'come tomorrow'. If this is people-friendly policing, I don't know what unfriendly would look like,' Mr. Ramesh said. The complaint was finally registered on June 13 after media inquiries and intervention by a local activist group. By then, critical time had been lost, diminishing the chances of the scooter's recovery. 'I have my own doubts whether the vehicle can be recovered; but my concern is that if the vehicle is misused, I will be in trouble,' Mr. Ramesh said, adding that it was his office vehicle that was given to him for convinience.
The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Compound wall of Idgah maidan in Hubballi removed for flyover work
The compound of the Idgah maidan adjacent to Kittur Chennamma Circle of Hubballi has been cleared to facilitate the work on the elevated road at the traffic junction. The wall work which began under police protection on Friday has been completed at a quick pace to facilitate the ongoing work. After a prolonged legal battle, the Supreme Court had ruled the maidan as the property of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation with permission to Anjuman-e-Islam to conduct a mass prayer twice a year. The clearance of the compound wall and utilisation of a part of the maidan had become necessary for facilitating the elevated circular road at Kittur Chennamma Circle, which is aimed at clearing traffic congestion at the junction and to ensure smooth passage to those proceeding to the four national highways passing through the city. On Friday after beginning the work, the compound wall grill was cut using acetylene torches, and the wall and the cement structure were removed using earthmovers. The work was carried out under the supervision of authorities of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). To facilitated the project, around 10% to 15% of the land of the maidan is being utilised from KC Circle to Sangolli Rayanna Circle. Two pillars will be constructed opposite Kamath Restaurant and at Sangolli Rayanna Circle and the Hubballi Suburban police station building is being partially demolished for the project. The NHAI authorities sought permission from the HDMC (which owns the land) for the demolition and protection from the police in July 23, 2024. As a precautionary measure, the area surrounding the 'qibla' wall in the maidan had been barricaded using metal sheets.
