JAUNPUR: What first appeared to be a brutal assault in a quiet village in eastern Uttar Pradesh — a young man left grievously injured, his leg severed — has, after days of police scrutiny, unfolded into a far more unsettling account of deception, self-harm and the misuse of state welfare systems.
A Disturbing Call From a Village
The case surfaced last Sunday in Khalilpur village, under the jurisdiction of the Line Bazar police station in Jaunpur district. Local police received an urgent report that a 28-year-old man, Suraj Bhaskar, had been attacked by unknown assailants. According to the initial complaint lodged by his family, several men allegedly assaulted him with sticks and fled after cutting his leg, triggering fear and panic in the area.
Given the severity of the injuries and the claim of a violent attack, police registered a case of attempted murder and launched an intensive investigation. The incident was treated as a serious criminal offence, with officers moving quickly to secure the scene, record statements and coordinate medical care.
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Early Claims and a Criminal Investigation
For nearly four days, investigators pursued the case as a violent crime. Around a dozen people were questioned, including family members, neighbours and villagers who were believed to have been in the vicinity at the time of the alleged attack. Police also examined the site of the incident and reviewed medical reports detailing the nature of Bhaskar’s injuries.
At the hospital, Bhaskar told both police and relatives that he had been attacked by unknown individuals. His account initially appeared consistent with the family’s complaint, reinforcing the perception that the injury had been inflicted by others. The gravity of the wound — severe enough to endanger his life — further supported the seriousness with which the police approached the case.
Contradictions in Evidence and Medical Findings
As questioning continued, inconsistencies began to emerge. Officers noted discrepancies between Bhaskar’s statements and physical evidence gathered during the investigation. Medical examinations raised additional doubts, particularly regarding the manner in which the injury had been caused.
According to police officials, sustained interrogation and scrutiny of medical findings eventually led investigators to conclude that no external attack had taken place. Instead, evidence suggested that Bhaskar had deliberately injured himself. Police say he used a grinder machine to cut his own leg, placing himself in grave danger.
An officer involved in the investigation said the evidence clearly indicated that the wound was self-inflicted and not the result of an assault by outsiders.
Alleged Motive and Ongoing Legal Action
Police officials now allege that the act was part of a premeditated plan to obtain benefits meant for persons with disabilities under government medical and welfare schemes. Investigators believe Bhaskar intended to permanently disable himself in order to claim such benefits and later fabricated a story of an attack to mislead authorities.
Once the alleged deception came to light, police registered a case against Bhaskar and initiated further legal proceedings. Officials said his condition is currently stable, and the investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of planning involved and whether anyone else had knowledge of or involvement in the incident.
