Khordha: Police on Tuesday refuted allegations of custodial torture in the death of a man caught in an alleged theft case, stating that preliminary findings show he had already sustained injuries in a mob assault before the cops intervened.
Khordha Superintendent of Police (SP) Parmar Smit Parshottamdas said a detailed investigation into the incident is underway and further action will be taken after the post-mortem report is received.
The deceased has been identified as Tofan Nayak of Bhimpur village under Banapur police limits.
Police said the allegation of custodial violence by Banapur Police in the death of Tofan Nayak is not supported by the available evidence at this stage. The police are examining the Zimmanama executed by the deceased’s parents, their statement before doctors at CHC Banapur, photographs taken at the time of his release, and CCTV footage from the police station.
According to the preliminary incident report, the ERSS-112 helpline received a call from Seshadev Pradhan, former Sarpanch of Khanata Gram Panchayat on Sunday, informing that villagers had apprehended a man on suspicion of theft.
Police said the man was found in an intoxicated and disoriented state and was allegedly misbehaving with a local woman. A PCR team from Banapur Police Station reached the spot and brought him to the police station at around 6.30 pm. The Inspector-in-Charge instructed staff to inform his family members, who arrived at about 8 pm.
Police stated that Tofan’s parents declined to file any complaint against the villagers and informed officers that their son had been mentally disturbed for the last 20 to 25 days. They subsequently executed a Zimmanama, declaring that Tofan was in sound health when he was handed over to their custody, following which they left the police station with him.
On the morning of June 29, family members brought Tofan to Banapur CHC after he reportedly vomited blood. According to the police report, when doctors asked whether he had been assaulted, his parents stated that nobody had attacked him and suggested that, due to his alcoholism, he might have sustained injuries in a fall.
As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he died during treatment at approximately 10.25 am after being transported in an ambulance.
However, the deceased’s family have accused the police of custodial torture. The family claimed that Tofan was taken into custody after being accused of theft and was later beaten inside the police station.
They further alleged that police informed them he was unwell and required medical attention. He was first taken to Banpur CHC and later shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead.
The deceased’s mother alleged that visible injury marks were found on the body.
The family has demanded a high-level inquiry and strict action against both police personnel and villagers allegedly involved in the assault.
The SP said that the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem examination and that further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
