The family of Constable Dinesh Sharma, a key witness in the 2017 custodial death case linked to the Gudiya rape-murder, has accused the police of subjecting him to mental harassment. They have urged the Himachal Pradesh government to take action against those responsible for it. Dinesh’s brother, Suresh, alleged that the constable was transferred five times in one-and-a-half months and claimed he has now been suspended.
According to Suresh, Dinesh’s son is severely disabled and is unable to walk. He stated that his father’s presence is crucial for his daily care and transportation to school. Dinesh had requested the authorities to defer his transfer on humanitarian grounds. However, instead of receiving relief, he was suspended after visiting the Lok Bhavan to raise the same issue.
Suresh claimed that Dinesh was on duty when Suraj, one of the accused in the Gudiya rape and murder case, died in police custody. Dinesh later testified before the court about the incident, and his testimony proved to be a significant development in the case. His testimony contributed to the conviction of eight police personnel, including the then IG, who were sentenced to life imprisonment by a CBI court in Chandigarh.
Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Singh denied the allegations and stated that Dinesh was suspended due to his repeated disobedience of departmental orders. Singh said that the departmental inquiry against Dinesh is being conducted impartially and in accordance with the rules. He added that Dinesh is being given a full opportunity to present his side of the story.
Dinesh’s family is demanding justice and has threatened to move the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the Human Rights Commission, and even the Supreme Court if they fail to get relief at the state level.
