Burja custodial death: Family alleges police torture; DC orders magisterial probe
Family alleged they were denied meeting with the accused and he was not producing him before the court until Tuesday.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 8 Sep 2022 2:51 AM GMT
A 24-year-old man allegedly ended his life at Burja Police Station in Srikakulam district on Tuesday night.
Identified as Murapaka Mahesh of Kommuvalasa village, he was taken into custody after his wife died by suicide.
On Tuesday night, he ended his life in a hall of the police station. Tension gripped Burja police station after his death. Family members of Mahesh staged a sit-in alleging torture by cops.
Family alleged they were denied meeting with the accused and he was not producing him before the court until Tuesday.
District collector Shrikesh B Latkhar ordered a magisterial inquiry. RDO B. Santhikumari was appointed inquiry officer. She visited Palakonda hospital and examined the body.
According to the sources, Murapaka Mahesh of Kommuvalasa married K.Sridevi of Sunkaripeta three months ago. Sridevi died by suicide on Sunday after Mahesh went to duty. Based on Sridevi's family member's complaint, Burja police registered a case against Mahesh under section 498 and 306 of IPC. Later they took him into custody.
On Tuesday night, he was found dead at the police station under mysterious circumstances.
Srikakulam SP G.R.Radhika visited the Burja police station and deployed additional force to maintain order. Later they shifted the body to Palakonda government hospital for post-mortem. A team of doctors conducted the post-mortem as per NHRC guidelines and handed over the body to his family members on Wednesday evening. A case was registered under section 176 and Srikakulam RDO B.Santhikumari launched an investigation.
"We have registered a case on Mahesh under section 498 and 306 of IPC. He came to the police station on Tuesday afternoon along with his mother. However, he died by suicide on Tuesday night. The district collector ordered a magisterial inquiry. As per district collector directions, we have registered the case under section 176," Srikakulam SC ST Cell DSP Balaraju said.
Human Rights Forum (HRF) AP has demanded a probe by either Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate.
"District Collector has ordered a magisterial inquiry by the Srikakulam Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). As per Section 176 (1A) through a significant amendment to the CrPC in 2005, all custodial deaths should be probed by a judicial magistrate or metropolitan magistrate rather than an executive magistrate. We will visit the victim and ensure justice is done," said HRF coordination committee member V.S.Krishna
