BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Human Rights Commission has directed the Superintendent of Police of Mayurbhanj to submit a report on the alleged custodial death of Chandan Kumar Das at Baripada Town Police Station on December 1.
Acting on a petition filed by activist Prabir Kumar Das, the rights panel has asked the SP to submit the report within four weeks.
Thirty-two-year-old Das, a resident of Tulasi Choura are of Baripada, was arrested by police on November 30 in connection with a theft case. He was supposed to be produced before the SDJM Court the next day but his body was found hanging with a bed-sheet tied around his neck inside the toilet of the police station.
The incident had led to public outrage and Chandan’s brother had alleged that his death was caused by torture in custody. The availability of a bed-sheet in the toilet and non-functioning of close circuit television cameras led to suspicion of foul play.
Das requested the OHRC to direct the Government for a compensation of `10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. The Commission has fixed January 27 for the next date of hearing.