Former BJP district chief Pritam Singh Kisan has disappeared under suspicious circumstances in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, shortly after being detained by police in connection with a late-night dispute. His unexplained absence has triggered legal action and increasing public attention, with the Allahabad High Court scheduled to hear a habeas corpus petition demanding that authorities produce him.
The incident dates back to the night of October 18-19, when a confrontation reportedly took place at Kisan’s petrol pump in the Rath police jurisdiction. In his petition, Kisan alleged that a group of assailants attacked his staff, prompting him to fire a warning shot in self-defence. Despite calling the local police station and emergency number 112 multiple times, he claimed no help was provided.
A team of about 25 police officers eventually arrived, but instead of acting against the alleged attackers, they detained Kisan and confiscated his licensed firearm. According to the plea, he was taken to the police station that night and has not been seen there in custody since, raising allegations of unlawful detention starting on October 19.
Petition documents further claim that both sides were brought to the police station the following morning, where a settlement was brokered. After this compromise, Kisan was said to have been released and escorted home by a few individuals. Witnesses reportedly saw him interacting with acquaintances on October 21 and again on October 23, after which his whereabouts became unknown.
Police began monitoring his mobile phone location, which was last detected near his residence next to the petrol pump, but searches conducted under senior administrative supervision yielded no results.
With no trace of him, a habeas corpus petition was filed on October 27, prompting the High Court to direct the Hamirpur police to produce him. The case is scheduled for a hearing on Monday.
Kisan is a prominent political figure in the region, having previously served as district president for the BJP and contested both the 2007 Assembly and 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
