UKHRUL: A 35-year-old undertrial prisoner, arrested in a murder case, was found hanging inside a police lock-up in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district on Sunday night, triggering a custodial death probe and disciplinary action against police personnel.
The deceased, Biru Kharia, originally from Assam’s Tinsukia district and residing in Lathao in Namsai, had been taken into custody on April 26 following an FIR alleging his involvement in the death of his wife, Pujamani Kharia. He was medically examined and remanded to five days of police custody by a court.
According to police, Kharia was found hanging inside the lock-up at Namsai Police Station around 10:15 pm on April 27. Superintendent of Police (in-charge) Thutan Jamba said a sari was used in the incident.
“During custody, he was found hanging inside the lock-up. A sari was used in the incident,” Jamba said.
A case of unnatural death has been registered under Section 194 of the BNSS. Authorities have ordered both departmental and magisterial inquiries to ascertain the circumstances leading to the custodial death.
Following the incident, two police personnel on duty have been suspended, while a show-cause notice has been issued to the officer in charge of the police station. Departmental proceedings have also been initiated.
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Police said the matter is being treated seriously and any lapses or negligence will invite strict action.
The lock-up has been sealed and CCTV footage is being examined as part of the investigation. An inquest was conducted and a post-mortem examination carried out by a board of doctors under full videography, in accordance with procedure.
Senior officials, including the SDPO, DSP (HQ), executive magistrate, and district medical officer, reached the spot following the incident and oversaw the legal formalities. The body was later handed over to the family after completion of post-mortem procedures.