Custodial death rocks Chhattisgarh: Cops booked for murder, probe ordered

Special correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR/JANJGIR-CHAMPA: The death of a Dalit person in police custody has led to statewide anger in Chhattisgarh.

Finally, after post-mortem report, a case was registered against four policemen including Jitendra Singh Rajput, who was the police station in-charge, constables Sunil Dhurv, Dilharan Miri and Home Guard Rajesh Kumar. They have been charged with murder.

Besides, state government has initiated a judicial probe. Retired High Court judge Inder Singh will conduct the probe, which will be completed within three months. Apart from murder, the four cops have been booked under the Atrocities on SC/ST Act as well.

Satish Norge was taken to police station after a row at a the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board Office. Police immediately picked him up at around 1 pm and took him to Mulmula police station, where he was beaten up and he later succumbed to injuries. By 5 pm, he was dead.

As news spread, large number of persons laid siege to the hospital. There was a road blockade apart from strong protest in Janjgir. In the capital Raipur, PCC chief Bhupesh Baghel sat on a dharna in front of CM House. There were protests across the State after the incident.

With Congress, BJP, Chhattisgarh Janta Congress and other parties taking up the issue and coming on streets, the government was clearly under pressure. Baghel said that, "policemen drew their salaries from the public money and should serve the citizens, rather than killing them in fake encounters or subjecting innocents to torture and causing their deaths".

The PCC chief was arrested and had to be taken away from the spot. Though he was later released. Satish, who lived in Nariyara, was an electrician. The policemen had taken him away to Mulmula police station where he was tortured, and he died in the custody.

After the incident, Chief minister Raman Singh's effigy was burnt at different places. Subsequently, a team of four doctors conducted the fresh post-mortem in the presence of judicial magistrate. After this report, the murder case was registered against the four policemen.

Sensing public anger, the administration promised a job to deceased's wife and education for Satish's children. Government has also announced Rs 6 lakh compensation to the deceased's kin.