Probe begins into custodial death of Odia youth in Bengaluru

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar/Bengaluru, Mar 21:

Bengaluru Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun probe into the alleged custodial death of a 42-year-old man from Odisha who was brought to the Jeevan Bima Nagar police station for questioning in a theft case on Saturday night.

The man identified as Mahendra was working as a cook cum gardener at one Purohith’s house since last 12 years.

According to reports, Mahendra’s employer lodged a theft complaint with the JB Nagar police station that Rs 3 lakh was stolen from his house and he suspected Mahendra as he was “acting suspiciously”.

He was summoned to police station at around 4.30 pm on Saturday. During interrogation, Mahendra complained of breathlessness and burning sensation in the chest. Following this, he was rushed to Chinmaya Mission Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Later, post-mortem was conducted at Bowring hospital.

Police claimed that Mahendra died of a cardiac arrest. However, senior police officials who conducted a probe revealed that Mahendra was subjected to “intense” interrogation which led to his death.

The following day a team of officials led by Bengaluru Commissioner of Police NS Megharikh and Additional Commissioner of Police (East) P Harishekaran met the JB Nagar police station staff with regard to the case and suspended six policemen: station in-charge Hitendra, police sub-inspector Rajashekhara, head constable Ajaz Ahmed, and police constables, Siddappa, Mohan Ram, and Keshava.