![\"'They](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131889312,imgsize-137611,width-400,height-225,resizemode-72\/according-to-mehto-and-his-employer-he-had-voluntarily-accompanied-police-when-they-first-arrived-at-the-store-believing-that-cooperating-would-quickly-clear-his-name.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: For 25 years, Bhola Mehto, 45, has been earning a modest living at New Krishna Market. Last Tuesday, he says, his life was turned upside down when he was allegedly subjected to hours of torture, first in a police post and later in a police station, on suspicion of stealing a purse. Mehto told TOI his repeated pleas of innocence fell on deaf ears.One cop has been suspended and a vigilance inquiry has been ordered, a police official said. According to Mehto, two women visited the shop where he worked around 3.30pm and left shortly afterwards. They returned nearly two hours later and accused him of stealing a purse. He then accompanied the cops.Cop suspended, vigilance probe ordered, says officer<\/span>What followed, he says, was a nightmare. Mehto claimed he was first thrashed at a police booth inside the market and later taken to Kotwali police station.He claimed that two people were present, one of whom was in plain clothes, and the women accusing him were also present. He alleged that he was repeatedly struck with a stick, particularly on his knees and back, leaving him bruised and with severe pain even days later.\u201cI even fell at their feet. The way they beat me was as though I was a hardened criminal or a terrorist,\u201d Mehto recalled.According to Mehto and his employer, he had voluntarily accompanied police when they first arrived at the store, believing that cooperating would quickly clear his name. \u201cWe thought they would let him go after questioning. We couldn\u2019t imagine that something like this would happen,\u201d his employer said, adding that he was released around 9.30pm.A senior police officer said the policeman, identified as Keshav, has been sent to district lines and a vigilance inquiry has been ordered into the matter. \u201cHe has been suspended, and strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the inquiry,\u201d the officer said. The other person, Vinod, who was known to Keshav, is not a police officer.<\/div>\n