Jajpur: Three policemen of Balichandrapur station in Odisha’s Jajpur district were suspended over an alleged attempt by a 28-year-old youth to end his life by consuming poison after being subjected to custodial torture.
Sub-inspector Chinamaya Prusti, ASI Durgesh Nandini Dey and constable Debendra Banara were suspended following an inquiry by SDPO Lakshidhar Swain on orders of Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal.
“He had a bottle of poison bought to protect his brinjal crop from insects. The inquiry found that the detainee took the extreme step since he was not frisked properly and kept in the lock-up as per the protocol. He was instead made to sit in the common hall,” the SP said, adding that the IO and other two cops were suspended for negligence.
Meanwhile, the victim, Rabindra Mallik (28) of Mahipur village in Anaka panchayat under Barachana block, was released on bail after being discharged from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Rabindra’s family claimed he was brutally beaten and stripped naked by police while in custody, which drove him to take the extreme step. He was picked up by police for questioning on Sunday on the basis of an FIR by his cousin Badal Malik on whom he threw hot water in a bid to save his disabled father, Maheshwar, and neighbour Namita Malik from a sword attack.
Rabindra had earlier alleged that he consumed poison from a bottle he found in the lock-up. He alleged a police officer had left the bottle there and, despite witnessing him drink it, did nothing to intervene .As his condition worsened, police took Rabindra to SCB on Sunday night.
His father, Maheshwar, claimed that they were repeatedly denied access to Rabindra for two days, and were taken to the hospital on Tuesday night when they insisted.
Balichandrapur IIC Samarjit Nayak denied the custodial torture allegations and instead claimed that Rabindra was hospitalised after suddenly falling ill at the police station.
