Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): A case similar to the one that had occurred at Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh has also come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s capital of Lucknow where a Dalit labourer’s face was smeared with urine. The incident took place at the city’s Dubagga area when the victim fell asleep after having lunch — following hard work throughout the day in sweltering heat.

None other than his co-worker, who belongs to the comparatively well-off OBC community, was allegedly found indulging in the shameful and outrageous act.

Someone recorded a video of the incident and posted it on social media. The clip was widely shared, sparking outrage online.

When the victim lodged a complaint with the police, he was allegedly severely beaten and even threatened with death.

Nevertheless, based on the complaint filed by his wife, a first information report (FIR) was registered. The accused have been apprehended. The police claim that the incident occurred under the influence of alcohol.

The complainant, Ramrati, resides at Dubagga’s Chandoiya Kheda with her husband. “The incident happened yesterday (June 2). My husband, Ram Kumar Rawat, was working as an agricultural laborer in the village. After having lunch, he was lying under a tree near the field outside the village. As he slipped into deep sleep, Sanjay, a resident of the village, urinated on his face to wake him up,” she alleged while talking to The Mooknayak.

The accused got the incident recorded and sent the video to everyone’s cell phones as an act of bravado. “Some of the villagers who received it on their WhatsApp informed me about the incident. When we complained to the police, my husband was severely thrashed by the accused. He suffered injuries, with his mouth bleeding. He also threatened us with death,” she said.

After the video began making rounds on the Internet on Monday (June 3), people demanded strict action against the accused. While urinating on the victim’s mouth, the accused can be seen laughing in the purported video. Another person can also be seen in the frame standing there as a mute spectator.

Confirming the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police Durgesh Kumar told The Mooknayak an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the accused has been taken into custody.

“The incident took place on Sunday afternoon near a vacant government land at Chandoiya Kheda’s vegetable market. The two youths seen in the video are Ramkumar Rawat and Sanjeev, alias Sanjay Maurya, who are laborers. Both the youths are residents of the same village. After finishing their work, both were drinking alcohol. It is said that when Rawat fell asleep, Maurya urinated on his face,” he said.