Jajpur: A 28-year-old man from Jajpur district reportedly attempted suicide following alleged third-degree torture in police custody in Balichandrapur of Odisha’s Jajpur district.
The man, identified as Rabindra Mallik of Mahipur village under Anaka panchayat, is now undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and his condition is stated to be critical.
Sources said Rabindra was picked up by police for questioning in connection with a family dispute. He was reportedly detained following a complaint filed by his cousin Badal, after a heated altercation involving Rabindra, his physically disabled father Maheshwar and a neighbour Namita Mallik. Badal had allegedly attacked the three with a sword, prompting Rabindra to retaliate by throwing hot rice gruel at him. Both sides had lodged complaints at the local police station.
His family members alleged that Rabindra was thrashed mercilessly by police while in custody. He further claimed that his family was not allowed to meet him and were not informed about his hospitalisation. According to the family, they came to know about his critical condition only three days later.
Rabindra later claimed that he consumed poison found in the lock-up room, which was reportedly placed there by a police official. Despite witnessing this, none of the police personnel intervened to stop him, he claimed.
Police, however, have refuted the allegations. Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Balichandrapur Police Station, Samarjit Nayak dismissed the allegation of custodial torture as false and baseless.
