Teacher in MP commits suicide after made to lick shoes in police custody

Special Correspondent

NewsBits.in

Bhopal: A primary school teacher in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh committed suicide after being subjected to brutality in police custody. Apart from being beaten up and stripped, the teacher Manoj Purohit was also allegedly made to lick shoes.

Police have registered case against five policement and another person in the matter.

However, the MP Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Inspector General of Gwalior range and superintendent of police of Shivpuri, seeking report on the issue by November 29.

Sources said Purohit, 30, consumed poison early on October 30, Diwali day, but succumbed at Jhansi Hospital on Thursday. In his suicide note, he has blamed five policemen and a self-acclaimed journalist for his drastic step.

Following death of the teacher, family members and other local people created ruckus at the Pichchore police station, where he was subject to brutality. Manoj’s body was kept on the desk of the police station in-charge and action against the policemen was demanded.

The situation worsened when the additional superintendent of police Kamal Mourya said action would be taken later. People resorted to stone pelting too.

However, under pressure of the people, case was registered against six persons including the five policemen named in the suicide note.

Sources said that Purohit, an assistant teacher with Sajapur Primary School, was picked up by police on charges of gambling. Purohit, who also runs private bus service, reportedly had gotten into arguments with the police earlier too.

In his suicide note, Purohit said that he was arrested in a false case and beaten up badly in custody. Later, having failed to give money for being let out, he was hit with shoes and made to lick shoes too.

Badly shaken by the brutality and abuse, Purohit consumed poison on Diwali morning.