Lucknow, Mar 3 (IANS): A police inspector in Uttar Pradesh has been suspended for torturing two men suspected of carrying out a series of thefts in Bahraich district, an official said on Thursday.

According to sources, Ajeet Verma, station house officer (SHO) of Dargah police station arrested the two men - Sonu (25) and Kallu (24) - and used third degree torture to force them into admission.

The two have accused Verma of forcing them to drink urine, to urinate on a heater and dousing their private parts with petrol.

After the intervention of the district police chief, the duo are now recouperating at a medical facility. However, condition of one of them is said to be critical.

They were picked up on February 25 and were only released on Wednesday evening, when the condition of one of the suspects deteriorated.

Verma was suspended after family members of the duo petitioned senior police officials. Lawyers said that the inspector was also guilty of detaining the men for over 24-hours