Tribal dies in police custody;5 police officials suspended

Rourkela,May 18 (UNI) Five police personnel, including an Inspector of Police and an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police of Brahmunitarang Police station, were suspended following the death of a tribal in police custody on Wednesday.

Official sources said Brahmanitarang police station Inspector Mohan Panikura, ASI Natabal Samal and three constables were suspended yesterday by the Director General of Police on charges of dereliction of their duty.

Chunilal Kisan(30) of Kalokudar village, allegedly involved in a dacoity case in 2004, was found hanging inside the police station on May 16. He was arrested by the police when a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him for not attending the court in connection with the case.

While the police claimed that he committed suicide in the bathroom of the 'hazat' by hanging himself with a towel,his wife alleged foul play.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had already ordered a probe into the custody death by the Orissa Human Rights Commission(OHRC)and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the kin of the deceased from his relief fund.

Police said ASI Natabar Samal was not only the investigating officer in the case but also the diary charge officer at the time of the custody death of the tribal.The other three constables suspended were present when the youth was found hanging inside the police hazat.

Police claimed that Chunilal was arrested on May 16 but his wife Malati alleged that her husband was taken by the police on May 14.

She questioned the suicide theory of her husband stating that when she met him on May 16 morning, he asked her to engage a lawyer for his release from the police station.

UNI