The union Minister of state for tribal affairs Renuka Singh on Tuesday demanded judicial inquiry into alleged suicide of a tribal youth in police custody.
A tribal youth, Pankaj Bek, who was detained by Ambikapur police for questioning in connection with Rs 13 lakh theft case, went out of the police facility where he was detained in the pretext of attending nature’s call. His body was later found hanging from window of a nearby private hospital.
“The cyber cell of Ambikapur police has a toilet facility. So the police’s claim that the suspect went out of the complex to attend nature’s call creates suspicion,” Renuka Singh said in a press statement.
The union minister, who represents Surguja Lok Sabha seat, alleged that there were serious injury marks on victim’s body which suggest that cops had thrashed the tribal youth to death and later hanged the body to portray it as a suicide case.
Police is now trying to hush-up the case as pressure were being mounted from victim’s family members and BJP party workers, she claimed.
“I demand judicial inquiry into the case and registering of cases against police officers responsible for Pankaj’s death. Also, Pankaj’s family members should get sufficient compensation along with government jobs,” she said.
Notably, five police persons --- a Thana in-charge, two Sub Inspectors and two Constables-- were suspended over the death of the youth during interrogation. BJP youth wing members on Monday had staged a chakka jam with the body of the accused on Ambikapur-Banaras highway.