Ranchi SSP on Friday suspended officer in charge of Rahe and Dasham Police Stations following the custodial death of a 20-year-old tribal Rupesh Swasi at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi after his alleged torture in police custody. Rupesh was taken into custody by police on the wee hours ofThursday on the apprehensions of supplying arms to the Maoists.The incident seems to have exposed the brutality with which police treats suspects and sometimes even innocent people. The police however, claimed that the suspect complained of stomach pain and was admitted to RIMS where he took his last breath.
Family members of the 22-year-old youth alleged that the police tortured Rupesh to extract information about Maoists. As Rupesh had no idea about the Maoists, he could not reveal any information to the police. Not believing his words, they tortured him badly leading to his death, claimed deceased's sister Anita Swansi.
"Raids were conducted by the two officers-in-charge in connection with tip-off about the man's involvement in some criminal activities. He was taken into custody, after which he complained of illness. He was brought to RIMS, where he died, said the SSP. Prima facie, since the death has taken place in police custody, the two officers-in-charge of Rahe and Dasham police stations have been suspended and a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered in this regard, added the SSP.
The post-mortem was conducted by a medical board and all norms laid down by the National Human Rights Commission were being followed in this regard, said a senior police official.
Rural SP Rajkumar lakda has also been asked to submit a report within 24 hoursabout the entire sequence of events and the facts of the case. "Appropriate action will be taken after the reports are received in this regard," he said.
locals said that son of a poor man Rupesh was working as a salesman at a cloth shop in Bundu, 40km from the state capital, to meet the financial requirements of his family.