By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu: Kashmir Police once again landed in trouble over custodial death today, after a youth was found dead in suspicious circumstances at police station Ram Garh in border District of Samba.
The body of the youth was found hanging from the roof of the bathroom inside the police station.
The news about the death of in custody evoked strong protest among the people of the area forcing the district administration to order a magisterial inquiry, besides suspending the Station House Officer, Thana Munshi and two constables.
It was reliable learnt that the deceased Harnam Singh was wanted in an alleged rape and murder case and had surrendered before the police on June 04.
Sources told News Agency of Kashmir that the name of the deceased appeared in the murder case of Rajinder Kour after her Husband Jai Pal Singh told the police that he saw his neighbour Harnam Singh fleeing from his house on June 01, the fateful day when his wife was found dead at home under suspicious circumstances.
Soon after Jaipal Singh named Harnam, he went under ground. However, Harnam surrendered before the police on June 04 and was since in police custody.
However today morning Harnam’s body was found hanging from the roof in the bathroom of police station.
” Sentries on duty had to break the door open after the deceased did not return back for twenty minutes when he was allowed to go on nature’s call at 2.30 A M this morning” police said adding, ” on breaking the door open , he was found hanging from the roof of the bath room with a bed sheet”.
However, the relatives are alleged that the youth was killed in custody and said police was concocting a false story.
Soon after the news of the death of the youth spread in the area, the relatives and neighbour held a strong protest outside the Police station demanding action against the police on duty.
The situation was brought under control after DDC Samba and SSP border reached on the spot and announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident and suspension of SHO and his three subordinates.
“I have announced a magisterial inquiry to be held by ADC Samba Reshi Gupta who will be asked to submit his report in 30 days” Deputy Development Commissioner Samba D S Jamwal told News Agency of Kashmir. He said the situation is under control and the body of the youth was handed over to the family after conducting postmortem by a board of doctors.
DDC said that meanwhile, SHO Ram Garh Kuldeep Raj Tripathi , MHC Balbir Singh two constables Dev Raj and Rajesh Kumar have been placed under suspension with immediate effect.