Gurgaon: In four years after the murder of a school child on a private school campus, life has changed completely for Ashok Kumar, the bus conductor captured in this case and then cleaned, and his family.
Only hours after the murder on September 8, 2017, Gurgaon police said Kumar was the main accusation.
After the CBI took over the case and detained teenagers, Kumar was given a guarantee by a local court in November and then released him from all charges.
In January this year, the additional Chargesheet agency charged four police officers, saying they incorrectly involved an innocent man and tortured him.
Kumar hasn’t recovered from a police injury allegedly caused, his family members, adding that he could not stretch his legs or stand well.
Kumar’s deteriorating health means limited work options for him, as a result they faced financial stress and scramble to meet needs.
Sunita, Kumar’s sister, said the family still came in a way in their way of life “reversed”.
Once in a stable job, his brother is a daily bet now.
“He became tired and complained of discomfort in his body, especially his legs, if he worked for days.
He needed time to rest and recover and could not work regularly,” Sunita said.
Kumar Mamata’s wife also hasn’t maintained well and has to quit her job as a peon at the nearest school, add to family financial misery.
When he rested on Charpoy in his room, he pointed at the picture hanging on the wall.
This is his mother-in-law, Mela Devi, who died at the age of 65 in January this year.
Mamata said Devi was not fine since the tragedy was four years ago.
“Usko is now going to Dukh Ne Maar Daala (he died of his son’s sadness).
He was very stressed since his incident and his health deteriorated last year,” Mamata said, added that they were unable to take care of him correctly.
Families want the government to record their financial conditions and offer support.
“If we accept compensation or government work, everything will be different,” he added.
The alley that leads to Kumar’s house is distinguished by a Neem tree and a small shop that functions as a meeting place for men in the neighborhood.
Some of them claimed Kumar was ‘treated differently’ because of his castle.
“It will be a different scenario if he is not dalit,” said a local.
Family members and neighbors Kumar told Tii that he became alert and skeptical after the whole episode.
“If a good wisher offers money to him, he refuses to accept that he might be framed or cheated,” the neighbor said, adding that Kumar never spoke to outsiders.
Bus conductors are daily bets now, families struggle to meet needs
