Custodial death: Probe handed over to DCP after protest

Giving in to protests by kin and neigbours of a Satkar Nagar area resident who allegedly died in police custody on July 17, police commissioner Ishwar Singh today asked DCP Ashish Choudhary to inquire into the matter and submit his report in two days.

Police commissioner Ishwar Singh on Monday asked deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Ashish Choudhary to inquire into the alleged custodial death of waiter Ram Sukh and submit his report in two days. Earlier, additional deputy commissioner of police (City 4) Sushil Kumar was probing the case.

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The order came in wake of the protest carried out by kin of the deceased, labourers and residents of the Satkar Nagar area in front of the police commissioner's office at the Basti Jodhewal police station, seeking probe into Ram Sukh's death on July 17.

The kin again held a protest for at least two hours despite heavy rain on Monday. Member of the Parvasi Bhalai Board, Punjab, Hargobind Tiwari, who led the protest, also submitted an application before the police commissioner, seeking registration of a case against guilty police officials.

They also demanded compensation for the deceased's family. The protesters were also annoyed over the issue of the arrest of three accused - Bhupinder Singh Bhupa, Joga Singh and Gabha Financer. They alleged that the police officials were hand in glove with the accused, therefore no arrest had been made so far.

Ram Sukh was reportedly detained by the Basti Jodhewal police on July 17 in a land dispute case, following a complaint filed by Bhupinder Singh, alias, Bhupa. The protesters alleged that to save their own skin, the police twisted the case and booked the three accused on the charge of murder, as the protest flared up after Ram Sukh's death.

General secretary of the Ambedkar Navyuvak Dal Bansi Lal Premi, DP Yadav, Surinder Singh, Tirloki Chobey, Suba Rav, Anil Kumar were also present during the protest. The protesters warned the police that they would intensify the agitation if action was not taken in the case.