Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Friday sought a detailed investigation report from the Odisha government in connection with the alleged custodial death in Puri town.
The government has been asked to submit the postmortem report and other facts pertaining to the case during the next hearing, scheduled on Monday (November 23).
The court issued the directions after it admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by advocate Sarat Rayguru, seeking a thorough probe into the events and circumstances leading to the death of K Ramesh of Loknath Road area in Puri town.
The petitioner had sought a High Court-monitored probe into the matter, stringent action against the erring police officials, and compensation for the family of the deceased.
Puri SP Akhileshwar Singh had earlier told mediapersons that the deceased was arrested by Baselisahi police after a tussle while he was attempting to commit a crime in Mangalaghat area. During the scuffle, three police personnel were injured.
Ramesh was brought to the police station and later, shifted to district headquarters hospital when his condition deteriorated. He died during treatment. Ramesh was involved in five criminal cases across districts and was released on bail from a Talcher jail recently, the SP said.
However, the uncle of the victim, K Ariya alleged that Ramesh was taken away by police from his house late in the night, three days ago. He died of torture in custody. The family was not allowed to see the dead body of Ramesh.
Instead of handing over the body to the family after post-mortem, police conducted the cremation under security. “By the time, we reached Swargadwar, the body was almost burnt,” said Ariya.
The SP said a case of custodial death has been registered and all norms laid down by NHRC were being followed. An additional superintendent of police and a DSP have been entrusted with the investigation.
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