Berhampur: The death of a youth following his release from police custody triggered protests by irate family members and locals at Sorada in Ganjam district Friday night.
Alleging police torture and demanding justice, they staged a protest in front of Sorada Police Station.
According to the agitating family members, Anil Muni, son of Lokanath Muni of Kainthapalli Sahi under Sorada Police limits was detained three days ago for kidnapping a girl.
After coming to know of his innocence, the police released him Friday evening. But, few moments after reaching home, he breathed his last.
This led to the deceased’s family members believing that he was subjected to torture in lockup.
According to a source, Anil had eloped with a girl. On the basis of a report lodged by the girl’s family, the police had rescued the duo. While the girl was handed over to the family, Anil was detained for three days.
The girl gave her statement Friday, saying that she was in love with Anil and had eloped with him willingly. Anil was released on the basis of her statement.
Accusing the police of killing Anil, the family members and locals staged a dharna in front of the police station with the dead body. “When he reached home, we spotted bruises all over his body. We even applied medicine. But he succumbed,” the aggrieved family members alleged.
Later, they called off their sit-in as the IIC of Sorada police station assured them of justice. Then the body was sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for postmortem. The autopsy will be conducted Saturday.
The autopsy report will confirm the exact cause of death, the police said. A detailed investigation is underway.
PNN
