Vivek Tiwari, an executive of global tech firm Apple, was shot dead by an on-duty policeman in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law & Order) Anand Kumar held a press conference on Saturday and said that it was a ‘sad incident’. He further said that a case of murder has been lodged under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against the constable who had shot the victim.
A man,identified Vivek Tiwari, was shot dead by a policeman near the Mukadampur Police Station in Lucknow’s Gomtinagar on Friday night. It has been alleged that Tiwari was shot because he refused to stop his car after being asked by the police.
Tiwari was returning home after work with a woman colleague. He was asked to stop by two cops on a bike. He refused to comply and instead tried to ram his car into the policemen’s bike.
Taking a note of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister broke his silence and said that it was not an encounter and an investigation would be conducted. Adityanath also said that if needed, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry would be ordered to investigate the incident.
Apple executive died after policemen allegedly opened fire at him when he refused to stop his car at a checkpoint in Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow in the wee hours of Saturday.
Two police constables, identified as Prashant Chowdhary and Sundeep, have been arrested, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lucknow Kalanidhi Naithani said. He added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a superintendent of police-rank officer, will be formed to investigate the case.
Constable Prashant, however, said he opened fire at the deceased in self-defence.
According to the police, the incident took place at around 01:30 am when Vivek Tiwari was travelling in his car along with his colleague, Sana Khan. Sana told police their car was stationed at Gomti Nagar extension area when they saw two police constables approaching. In a bid to avoid them, the duo tried to escape.
An injured Tiwari was taken to the Lohia Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The post-mortem report has concluded the cause of death as being shot.
“He (Vivek Tiwari) had a bullet injury near the ear on the left side, he died during treatment,” said Devendra Singh Negi, director, Lohia Hospital. Negi has also said that two police personnel involved in the accident were also treated at the hospital.
Tiwari was a sales manager at the technology company Apple.
Sana added that she suddenly heard a gunshot, following which the car rammed into a wall. She saw Vivek bleeding profusely and rushed him to the hospital with the help of locals. Vivek was declared brought dead by a doctor.
Following Sana’s complaint, a case of murder was lodged against the two cops.
In his defence, constable Prashant said he opened fire after police spotted a suspicious car with its headlights turned off. “After parking our motorcycle in front of the car, we went close to it. The car immediately started and hit our motorcycle,” he said.
Prashant added, “I waved at the driver to stop but he reversed the car and hit our motorcycle again. When the driver hit the motorcycle for the third time, I pulled out the pistol to scare him. I had to shoot in self-defence.”
SSP Naithani said a letter has been sent to the District Magistrate, requesting for a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
Authorities on alert
The death has sparked outrage in the district with the IG, SSP and other authorities present at the scene. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also spoken to the UP DGP OP Singh about the incident.
Issuing a statement on the incident, Singh said “The arrested constable said that the firing was done in self-defence because Tiwari tried to flee. However, we believe that when threat perception is low, the police cannot resort to such aggression. A case has been filed and he will be sent to jail after being produced in court.”
Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya has also assured of action against the guilty, “Investigation is underway. If an innocent person has been killed by the police probe will be done. Actions will be taken against those found guilty” he told news agency ANI.
Deceased’s kin seeks answers
The MNC executive’s wife, Kalpana Tiwari has demanded answers into his death. “I waited for my husband till two in the night. After that, I started calling him continuously on both his mobiles — both of which were functioning but no one picked up. Around 3 am a man called me up and said that your husband and his colleague have suffered minor injuries and are being treated at the Lohia Hospital. When I asked who the caller was, they said they were an employee of the hospital. Why didn’t the police call to inform me about my husband’s accident?” she told ANI.
