Court asks govt to probe custodial death

Ranchi, Dec 22 (UNI) Jharkhand High Court today directed the state government to inquire into the alleged custodial death of one Manraj Tirkey in a police station of Bokaro by any independent agency.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Muthuswamy Karpagyavinaygam and Justice D K Sinha passed the order while hearing a writ petition, filed by Mukti Tirkey, secretary of a tribal organisation.

Rajesh Kumar appearing on behalf of the petitioner informed the court that the Bokaro police in a dacoity case had arrested Manraj Tirkey and taken him into custody.

Police released Manarj on a personal bond, but then again took him into custody for five days.

Mr Kumar futher alleged that Sandhya Rani Mehta, Deputy Supeintendent of Police, abused Manraj and brutally beat him following which Manraj fell unconscious and was sent to hospital.

On January one this year, Manraj was declared dead.

The court directed the state government to get the matter inquired by an independent agency and take action.

UNI XC-AM-PRS SJC RR VV1744