A 50-year-old freelance journalist in Lucknow alleges that a policeman fractured his hands after a minor road altercation on March 15. An FIR is yet to be registered despite CCTV and dashcam footage of the assault and complaints filed across multiple official channels.

The footage, captured on a shop’s CCTV camera and the journalist’s own dashcam, shows a policeman opening the door of Shamim Akhtar’s Honda City, kicking him, and physically grappling with him. Akhtar subsequently self-presented at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where fractures in both hands were confirmed. 

The altercation began near Nani Hotel on Chandan Road in Indira Nagar police station limits at around 4.45 PM, when Akhtar’s car grazed a Maruti approaching from the opposite direction. Akhtar immediately called the police helpline (112). Two officers arrived, but the accused had already left. 

Since then, Akhtar has filed written complaints with the Indira Nagar police station, the UP Chief Minister’s Jansunwai portal, the UP Human Rights Commission, the DCP (East Zone), and the Lucknow Police Commissioner’s office. 

The journalist claims he is now being pressured to drop the matter. He says police personnel and certain media professionals have been asking him to move on in exchange for an apology.

In an audio recording he shared with Newslaundry, a caller identifying himself as a staffer from the Mahanagar police station appeals to Akhtar to pardon the man involved in the dispute, says they are bringing him along to meet Akhtar, and claims that the individual is posted at the Indira Nagar police station.

When Newslaundry contacted the Indira Nagar police station’s SHO, Ajay Narayan Singh, he said he had been on leave and had only resumed duty on March 17, adding he had no knowledge of the incident. He directed us to Sub-Inspector Brajesh, who had held charge during his absence — but Brajesh, when called, claimed he too had been on leave from March 7 to 15, and deflected all questions back to the SHO.

Area ACP Anindya Vikram Singh said the investigation is ongoing and that the police are attempting to identify the suspect from footage. On why no FIR has been registered four days after the incident, with a medical report and video in hand, the ACP said they would first speak with the doctor before proceeding.

Akhtar previously published an English-language magazine, The Lucknow Observer, and ran a digital platform called The Lucknow Post. “How did a man driving a car with a “press” label end up with both hands fractured after an altercation with a constable over something so trivial?” Akhtar asked. 

Ravindra Kumar Singh, president of the Uttar Pradesh Press Club, told Newslaundry he had no knowledge of either the incident or who Akhtar was.

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