In-charge SP of Cuttack rural police Madhav Charan Sahu on Monday ordered an inquiry into the alleged custodial death of one Saroj Senapati alias Akuli (45) of Malisahi village under the Narasinghpur police station of Cuttack district.
Wanted in a case for assaulting a dalit woman of the locality, Akuli had been apprehended by the police from a hideout with much difficulty after a scuffle on Friday night. “Akuli had sustained head injuries in the scuffle after he had bitten leg of a policeman,” said Narasinghpur police station IIC Nihar Ranjan Mohanty.
Akuli was immediately taken to the local PHC, from where he was referred to the SCB Medical College Hospital here on Saturday morning. “While undergoing treatment, the patient died on Sunday night,” informed Cuttack Mangalabag PS Inspector AK Swain, adding that Akuli’s relatives here have submitted a report alleging that he died due to police excess.
District rural police sources said the in-charge SP has ordered an probe into the alleged custodial death. The inquiry would be conducted by a DSP-rank officer.
Meanwhile, an irate mob led by family members of Akuli staged a road blockade at Narasinghpur demanding compensation to the deceased’s kin and exemplary punishment to the erring policemen.