Overview
- Police detained five people for questioning on Wednesday after protesters blocked a key road outside the Meerut collectorate during demonstrations over the killing of 20‑year‑old Lalita Gautam.
- A protester, Ravi Gautam, alleged he was slapped inside a police vehicle and attempted suicide while detained, and a video showing SSP Avinash Pandey entering a police van circulated on social media but its authenticity could not be independently verified and police denied the assault.
- Authorities said they used CCTV, video clips and social‑media posts to identify active participants, and they are examining the role of Digvijay Singh Bhati and others with legal action to follow based on evidence.
- Police later reported broader action in connection with the same demonstrations, saying seven people were arrested and more than 30 people were booked for offences including unlawful assembly, blocking traffic and attacking officials.
- The protest follows the case that began when Lalita went missing on May 15, her body was found on May 17, and the main accused was arrested on May 18, and police say the victim’s family has been kept informed as the probe expands.