Youths who arrived in Kanpur with hopes of securing government employment expressed intense outrage on Thursday night inside the Reserve Police Line premises. During the ongoing selection process for homeguard positions, severe allegations of malpractice were raised regarding the medical examination. Candidates stated that they were being intentionally eliminated under the pretext of minor physical flaws. The situation escalated to such an extent that protesters dragged a young man out of a car present at the scene and assaulted him. This entire sequence of events triggered panic within the police administration, prompting senior officials to rush to the location immediately.
Serious Allegations Regarding Unfit Status in Medical Tests
On Thursday, approximately 200 candidates gathered at the Reserve Police Line ground for their medical evaluation. Shortly after the testing procedure commenced, the youth present there began questioning the medical system itself. Protesting candidates alleged that during the screening, they were declared unfit by citing reasons such as a deviated nasal septum or weak eyesight. Youths claimed that demands ranging from 15 thousand to 50 thousand rupees were being made in exchange for being declared fit. Those who were unable or refused to pay were reportedly failed in the medical assessment. According to the candidates, around 70 individuals were marked unfit in this manner, although the veracity of these claims will only become clear after a thorough investigation.
Mobile Numbers on Slips and Alleged Extortion Racket
Regarding this alleged extortion racket, the youth brought forth several details. They stated that during the medical checkup, mobile numbers were being handed over written on specific slips with instructions to contact those numbers. According to the candidates, an acquaintance of Dr. Praveen was seated in a car parked in a corner of the police line premises, and his role in this entire process was deemed suspicious. Youths claimed that fitness clearance was allegedly provided only after money was paid. However, the extent of truth in these allegations and the exact number of people from whom money was extracted are currently under police investigation.
Protest Turns Violent at Eight in the Night
Frustration over the alleged irregularities in the medical procedure continued to mount, and around eight o'clock on Thursday night, this anger spilled out openly. The enraged crowd approached the doctor's vehicle, pulled out a young man seated inside, and beat him. Following this, slogans were raised across the police line campus. The primary demand of the protesters was to investigate the transparency of the recruitment process and take strict action against those involved in the alleged bribery. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, ACP Kotwali Amit Kumar Pandey, ACP Colonelganj Anjana Dahiya, and several other police officers rushed to the spot to calm the disgruntled youth.
Claims of Money Paid by 25 Candidates
A deep probe into the matter is underway as several candidates claimed that around 25 people had paid money to clear the medical exam. Meanwhile, some other youths also stated that money was demanded from them, but they refused to pay. Due to these conflicting statements and severe allegations, it has become crucial for the police to ascertain whether any such monetary transactions actually took place. If proven true, the investigation will also reveal who orchestrated and participated in these activities.
Dr. Praveen and Another Detained for Questioning
Taking the seriousness of the incident into account, the police took swift action by detaining two individuals, including Dr. Praveen. Both are being interrogated continuously to uncover the truth behind the medical examination methods, the basis for declaring candidates unfit, and all aspects related to the alleged financial transactions. Police officials stated that currently only allegations have surfaced, and the involvement or guilt of any individual will be confirmed solely after the completion of the investigation.
