Alleged custodial deaths in Odisha: 4 cops suspended

Bhubaneswar: As many as four cops were today suspended in connection with the alleged custodial deaths of two accused in Puri and Sundargarh districts of Odisha.

Birmitrapur Police Station IIC Smruti Prava Pradhan, Baselisahi police station’s SI Biplab Kumar Pradhan, constables Jagannath Swain and Babuli Behera have been placed under suspension for gross misconduct and negligence in duty, official sources said.

Notably, K Ramesh (33) of Loknath Road area in Puri town died allegedly due to police excesses. However, former Puri SP Akhileshwar Singh said that Ramesh was arrested by Baselisahi police for interrogation as he was attempting a crime in Mangalaghat area. He sustained injuries during scuffle with the cops and was admitted to the district headquarters hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he died during treatment, Singh said.

Also read- Puri SP Akhileshwar Singh Transferred.

On the other hand, Ramesh’s kin alleged that he was picked up by police from his house and died of torture by the cops. His family members further alleged that they were not allowed to see the body while police conducted the cremation instead of handing over the body to them after post-mortem.

In Sundargarh, one Md Tariq Salim was detained by Birmitrapur police in connection with the kidnapping of a businessman. While his family members alleged that he died while being under police custody, SP Sagarika Nath refuted the allegation.

The accused was initially admitted to the Kuarmunda Hospital and later shifted to the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), where he died while undergoing treatment, the SP said.