‘Custodial death’: Dumka DIG suspends two Deoghar cops

Dumka: DIG Ambar Lakda has suspended officers in-charge (OC) of Palajori and Sarath police stations in Deoghar district in connection with the alleged custodial death of a man accused of cyber crime last week. In the suspension orders, the DIG referred to the gross negligence on the part of both the officers — Prabhat Kumar and Suraj Kumar of Palajori and Sarath police stations respectively — while interrogating the arrested accused without following the mandatory norms. The deceased, identified as Meraj Ansari (35), died hours after his arrest by a joint police team of Palajori and Sarath police stations of Deoghar district from his home at Dudhani village under Palajori police station on May 21. He was allegedly thrashed in presence of his family during arrest. Ansari's death sparked large-scale outrage in the area, with hundreds thronging Palajori police station, staging demonstrations, and pelting stones, blaming the cops for subjecting him to torture during interrogation leading to his death. Refuting the allegations, Deoghar police claimed died of an ailment after he was taken to the hospital. "Ansari was arrested from his home and was shifted to the Deoghar sadar hospital the same evening following the deterioration of his health condition during interrogation. He was declared dead by the attending doctor," DSP and district police spokesperson Laxman Prasad said.The DIG however said, "It came to light that the officers under question remained negligent by not adhering to the mandatory medical examination of the arrested accused before interrogating him. Whether he was tortured can be ascertained after a probe."Suraj Kumar, was already under the scanner for allegedly assaulting Maheswar Rana (50) of Bagdaha village under the neighbouring Khaga police station limits, leading to his death on April 12 when he was picked up from his home in connection with a POCSO case. Maheswar died hours after being in police custody. His family members claimed he succumbed to police assault.