Narsinghpur: Police Monday began a probe into a case of alleged custodial torture where a man in custody of Narsinghpur police was allegedly beaten to death by an ASI and four home guards.
The case will be investigated by a DSP-rank officer after the superintendent of police ordered a probe into the incident, sources said. The deceased was identified as Saroj Senapati (40) of Malisahi village under Narsinghpur police limits in Cuttack district.
According to sources, Senapati allegedly had a fight with a fellow villager over crop damage. When the man filed a case against Senapati, the police picked him up from the village Friday. He was allegedly thrashed in police custody and suffered grievous injuries to his chest and head, sources said.
Later, he was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed Sunday night while undergoing treatment, sources said.
Tension prevailed in the village after Senapati’s body failed to reach the village Monday evening. Locals warned of a demonstration if no steps were taken in this regard. Sensing a law and order situation, police forces were deployed in the village to maintain calm, sources said.
Cuttack rural police limits additional SP Narsingh Charan Swain, Athagarh sub-collector Harish Chandra Nayak, magistrate, Narsinghpur BDO reached the village and took stock of the situation.
Senapati worked as a driver and was the sole breadwinner for his family, it is learnt.
According to police, Senapati’s goat strayed into a neighbour’s field and devoured paddy. Police ASI Bhagban Sahu, Homeguards Bhikari Nayak, Dharamraj Rana and Gopinath beat up Senapati after the neighbour lodged a complaint.
He was rendered critical and admitted to Narsinghpur government hospital. Later, he was shifted to SCB Medical Hospital in Cuttack where he died while undergoing treatment.
Locals demanded Rs 20 lakh from police and warned of a demonstration if no steps were taken in the regard. PNN
