SANGAREDDY: A person, who was apprehended on suspicion of his involvement in a murder case, died in police custody here on Wednesday night. Though the police claimed the victim had ended his own life, his relatives termed it a ‘lock up death’ and accused the cops of torturing him to death.
Following the allegations, senior officials suspended a circle inspector, sub-inspector and two constables. According to details available, Talari Laxman (35), a native of Yellaram village in Sadasivpet mandal, was picked up by the police a couple of days back for questioning in connection with the murder of a woman whose body was found at Peddareddipet village in December last. Laxman’s brother, 33-year-old Pochaiah was also taken into custody.
Police claimed Laxman had tried to hang himself with his shirt and was immediately shifted to the Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad where he was declared brought dead.
However, Laxman’s relatives alleged that he was taken into custody five days back and subjected to third degree torture. Laxman was interrogated daily at Pulkal and Jogipet police stations, they said.
Additional SP P Ravinder Reddy said a case of lockup death was registered and Sangareddy Deputy Superintendent of Police Tirupatanna would investigate the case and submit a report. In the meanwhile, Inspector General of Police,
West Zone Naveen Chand suspended V Nagaiah, circle inspector of Jogipet Circle, P Lokesh, sub-inspector of Pulkal station and two constables -- Uday Kumar and Yadaiah -- for dereliction of duty. The body has been sent for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of Laxman’s death.