Death in police custody: Churu SP removed; CO suspended

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has put Churu SP Rajendra Kumar on awaiting posting orders (APO), while suspended circle officer (CO) Bhanwar Lal Meghwal in connection with the death of a theft accused in police custody. Eight policemen including SHO of Sardarshahar police station have already been suspended, while 26 others removed from active police duty and sent to reserve lines in the matter. The action was taken after it came up during preliminary investigation that the victim had died of torture in police lock-up.

There are allegations that the policemen of Sardarshahar police station in Churu had misbehaved with the sister-in-law of the victim after calling her to the police station in the name of investigation.

A senior home department said that the action was taken in compliance with the directions of chief minister Ashok Gehlot. The directions clearly state that SP would be held responsible for any miscount or untoward incident in a police station in his or her jurisdiction.

SP Rajendra Kumar was put on APO for supervisory negligence, he said.

A letter and a video that went viral on social media accuse the policemen of raping the victim’s sister-in-law. However, there was no confirmation whether the video and letter were authentic.

According to preliminary reports, the victim was identified as Nemichand Nayak. An FIR accusing him of theft had been registered against him six months ago. The police investigated the case and filed a final report (FR) when no evidence was found against him. Nemichand was missing from his village for the past six months. When he was spotted a few days ago, the local residents thrashed him and then handed him over to the police.

According to police, he complained of uneasiness and chest pain following which he was admitted to a hospital. He died while undergoing treatment. The family members accused Sardarshahar police of torture following which the district magistrate ordered an enquiry.