BALASORE: Death of an accused in police custody led to tension in Baripada town on Tuesday. Chandan Kumar Das (32) of Tulasi Chaura area, booked in a theft case, was found dead inside the Town police station.
Police sources said Das was arrested on Monday for his suspected involvement in a theft case a couple of days after he was released from jail in another dacoity case. He was arrested from Old-Parade Padia at Sriramchandrapur village in Mayurbhanj district.
“He was kept in the lock-up and was supposed to be produced in Baripada SDJM Court on Tuesday. In the morning, he had gone to the toilet where he was found dead. His body was found hanging from an iron pipe with a bed-sheet tied around his neck,” said in-charge SP Gobinda Chandra Mallik.
Hundreds of people gathered at the police station. Tension mounted as the news of the death spread in the locality. His mother Monalisa Das alleged that her son was picked up in a false case and killed by the policemen in the lock-up as there are injury marks on his body. She demanded action against those responsible for her son’s death.
Mallik said a case has been registered and investigation is on. “The body has been sent for post-mortem. The actual cause of death can be ascertained after the report is received. Das had been booked in such cases and sent to jail several times. We suspect he has committed suicide after losing his mental balance,” Mallik added.
The police authorities initiated action against the erring cops as the locals and the victim’s relatives refused to cremate the body till action is taken and compensation paid. The in-charge SP suspended ASIs Umesh Nayak and Bikartan Lenka and lady constable Diptimayee Barik. Meanwhile, ` one lakh was sanctioned from CM’s relief fund for the family members of the deceased.