Hint of custodial torture in 32-yr-old’s death in Ganjam

Berhampur: Sushant Sahu, a 32-year-old polio-stricken daily wager who was detained on May 25 for allegedly attacking a police team during a raid on an illegal quarry, died during treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital early on Monday, sparking claims of custodial torture and triggering massive uproar in Kabisurya Nagar area of Ganjam district.This is the third incident of alleged police brutality in the state in the last fortnight, calling for immediate soul searching and condemnation from opposition parties.DGP Y B Khurania ordered a probe by the human rights protection cell (HRPC) even as southern range IGP Niti Sekhar suspended sub-inspector Sameer Kumar Rout, assistant sub-inspector Baikutha Jena and constable Suman Kumar Sahu of Kabisurya Nagar police station and Balichai outpost, pending a detailed inquiry.The IGP withdrew the independent charge of IPS probationer Nitesh Kumar Mishra as inspector in-charge of Kabisurya Nagar police station and transferred him to the district headquarters at Chhatrapur. The Ganjam home guard commandant has also been asked to disengage home guard (driver) Krushna Chandra Pradhan following a preliminary inquiry.The IGP also directed Ganjam SP Harish B C to transfer all staff of Kabisurya Nagar police station and Balichai outpost to other sub-divisions to ensure a fair inquiry. “Further criminal or departmental action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe,” IGP Sekhar said.Sahu, who had problem in one of his legs since childhood due to polio, used to work as a daily wager at a stone quarry near Kabisurya Nagar. On May 20, he and some other workers allegedly attacked a police team during a raid on an illegal quarry. Sahu was picked up from his home at Subalias, under Kabisurya Nagar police station limits, on May 25 in connection with the alleged attack.Family members alleged Sahu was illegally detained from May 25 till Sunday evening and subjected to severe torture. “He was brutally assaulted, hot water was poured on his body and chilli applied on him,” alleged Mamajin, his wife.Sahu was reportedly in a critical condition when he was taken to the hospital from the police station on Sunday night. He was first admitted to Kabisurya Nagar hospital, then shifted to the sub-divisional hospital at Aska and later referred to MKCG, where he died during treatment around 1.30 am.Following his death, family members protested in front of Kabisurya Nagar police station, demanding action against those responsible. “We want justice and strict action against the police officials,” Mamajin said.SP Harish said the exact cause of death would be known after the post-mortem and inquiry. He added that allegations of illegal detention beyond the permissible 24-hour period would also be examined. “We are probing all angles, including the allegations made by family members, and verifying CCTV footage from the police station,” the SP added.The latest incident comes close on the heels of alleged custodial torture of a man in Cuttack’s Baranga police station in Cuttack. The govt transferred Baranga IIC Niranjan Behera for alleged torture of Rakesh Behera, currently undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Prior to that, Sandhyarani Jena, IIC Talchua marine police in Kendrapada district, was suspended for allegedly torturing a mother-son duo in police custody.