Another custodial death in Barmer; SHO suspended; police station staff removed

Jaipur: A man who was detained by rural police of Barmer district in Rajasthan on suspicion of theft died allegedly in police custody on Wednesday.  

SP, Barmer has suspended SHO of the police station, Deep Singh, and removed all members of the staff from duty and sent them to Reserve Police Lines. The family members of the victim alleged torture and harassment by the police. The protestors demanded strict action against the policemen and proper compensation for the family. They refused to take the body from the mortuary of the hospital till their demands were met.

The victim was identified as Jeetu Khatik, a resident of Hameerpur area of Barmer district. He was taken into custody on suspicion of the theft on Wednesday. According to preliminary reports, he fell sick in the lock-up following which the cops rushed him to a local hospital. He died while undergoing treatment. Senior police officers rushed to the spot when they came to know about the death.

The family members of the deceased man demonstrated at the hospital and refused to take the body. They alleged that Jeetu was tortured and harassed at the police station.

The family members also said that Jeetu didn’t have any criminal record, but he was treated as a habitual criminal. Heavy police force was deployed in the hospital to maintain law and order.

As per the rules, the death will be investigated by a judicial magistrate. The SHO was suspended and the police station was removed from duty.