PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
A Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) jawan allegedly died by suicide in a police lock-up on Saturday. Dehradun senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobal reverted the Raipur police station officer along with three other police personnel to the police lines on Saturday night. On Sunday, a sub-inspector was also suspended by the SSP for misconduct during duty in connection with this case.
According to the police, the post-mortem was carried out by a panel of expert doctors on Sunday. The doctors have stated that the cause of death was hanging. However, the police said that further steps are being taken to make the cause of death more clear, especially after concerns raised by the family members. The viscera of the deceased has been preserved and will be sent to the forensic science laboratory for detailed examination. Police officials also informed that an inquiry will be conducted by a magistrate to investigate the entire matter.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Dobhal, the brother-in-law of the deceased PRD jawan Sunil Raturi, has alleged that it was not a suicide. Dobhal stated that his brother-in-law had two children and was very happy when he left home, leaving his family members unable to understand why he would commit suicide. He also questioned how such a suicide could happen in police custody. He further alleged that the police are changing their statements. Initially, they said Raturi was in an unconscious state and later claimed that he made a noose from a piece of blanket and hanged himself. He added that the jawan’s alcohol level was said to be 231, and he was not even able to stand properly. So, he questioned how he could take such a big step.
Dobhal also alleged that at first the police said only two personnel were present at the station, and later they said that many police personnel were there. He further alleged that there may have been negligence in police custody, or possibly a physical assault by the police, which could have caused serious injuries leading to his death. Dobhal further claimed that he also saw marks of nails on the neck and swelling on the head of the deceased.
