Custodial death in Indore police station was murder: Probe report

The judicial enquiry ordered into death of a person inside MIG police station in December 2015, has found that the person did not commit suicide as narrated by the police but was murdered.

The judicial enquiry ordered into death of a person inside MIG police station in December 2015, has found that the person did not commit suicide as narrated by the police but was murdered.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Jitendra Singh Kushwaha who conducted the enquiry tabled his report before district judge on Friday. Kushwaha in his report observed that the 24-year old Pankaj Vaishnav, who was found dead hanging in the toilet of the police station was ‘partial hanging’ - the feet of the deceased were about 1 - 1.5 feet above the ground.

The report also mentioned that the police had tampered with their daily register in the police station to validate his death as suicide.

The ACJM also found mismatch in the statements of police and the video recording done by the police.

Sources said, “Pankaj was arrested by MIG police at 2pm on December 19, 2015 from Regal square and took him to the police station. The police got a tip off that Pankaj deals in selling of stolen vehicles, hence they took him into custody.”

Later in the evening at around 7pm, he was found dead hanging in a toilet room in MIG police station. Police labelled his death as suicide sent his body for forensic examination.

Kushwaha in his report mentioned that the forensic experts also opine that Pankaj was thrashed by police and hanged.

Pankaj worked as peon in district court here. The judicial enquiry was ordered a day after his death.