MEERUT — A Sub-Inspector heading a local police post in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district has been suspended for dereliction of duty after a suspect in police custody ingested a household chemical cleaner inside the station premises, senior police officials confirmed.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Tuesday at the Dhir Khera police post, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kharkhoda Police Station in Meerut.

According to police officials, the detainee, identified as Mithun (also referred to in local reports as Vipin), a resident of Noorpur village in Ghaziabad district, had been picked up for interrogation following an investigation into a recent motorcycle theft in the area. Investigators traced the suspect after arresting two other individuals who alleged they had sold the stolen motorcycle to him.

During his period of detention, Mithun requested permission to use the restroom. A police constable accompanied him to the facility. However, while inside, the suspect purportedly ingested a bottle of acidic toilet cleaning chemical kept inside the restroom premises.

When the detainee failed to emerge after several minutes, officers unlocked the restroom door and discovered him collapsed on the floor in distress.

Police personnel rushed him to NCR Medical College for preliminary emergency treatment. Due to the severe nature of chemical ingestion, he was subsequently transferred to Jagdamba Hospital in Meerut for specialized care. Medical authorities reported that the patient was placed under intensive observation and his condition is currently stable and out of danger.

Taking immediate cognizance of the security oversight inside the station, Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) BBGTS Murthy ordered the immediate suspension of Sub-Inspector Hariom Gautam, the in-charge of the Dhir Khera police post.

"Considering the gravity of the incident and the apparent procedural negligence, the police post in-charge Sub-Inspector Hariom Gautam has been suspended with immediate effect," said Kithore Circle Officer Vishwajyoti Rai. "A departmental inquiry has been initiated to examine the lapses that allowed a chemical substance to be accessible inside custody premises."

Meanwhile, family members of the detainee have leveled allegations of custodial mistreatment, claiming that physical pressure during questioning prompted the incident. Police officials stated that all aspects surrounding the custodial breach and the allegations will be thoroughly investigated as part of the ongoing inquiry.