Dalit youth dies in police custody, 2 cops suspended

Shivpuri: A 19-year-old Dalit youth on Wednesday died in police custody here following which two policemen have been suspended, police said.

After the incident, kin of the deceased – Kamal Vanshkar — gheraoed the Khaniyadhana Police Station and police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse them.

Following the incident, station in-charge inspector Suresh Nagar, constable Surbhi Mishra, who was on sentry duty have been suspended, Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Singh said.

Besides, police constables Raghuveer Pal and Shakil Khan have been attached to police line and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the custodial death, he said.

He said Kamal allegedly tried to steal a motorbike of one J Singh Yadav who caught and handed him to police last evening.

Nagar while frisking Kamal found that he was carrying a knife. Hence he was arrested and booked under the Arms act, the officer said.

Mishra found Kamal hanging with a drawstring in the custody this morning. He was rushed to a primary health centre from where he was taken to district hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead, the ASP said.

According to the official, his relatives and friends gheraoed the police station and pelted stones on policemen after which they used mild cane charge to dismiss the protesters.

Heavy police force has been deployed in Khaniyadana area where the situation still appears to be tensed.