West Midnapore12 hours ago
A prisoner died by suicide while in police custody at Chandrakona police station in West Midnapore. His body was found hanging inside the station toilet.
Prisoner found dead inside police station
The deceased has been identified as Rahul Ruidas. Police had arrested him from the Chandrakona area in connection with an alleged theft case. He was produced before the Ghatal sub-divisional court, which remanded him to four days of police custody.
Theft accused was remanded to custody
During his custody, Rahul’s body was recovered from the police station toilet. According to the police, he allegedly used his trousers to hang himself. He was taken to Ghatal Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
However, Rahul’s family has rejected the suicide claim and alleged that he was tortured while in police custody.
Family alleges conflicting police accounts
According to family members, police took Rahul into custody four days ago and informed the family through a civic police volunteer.
Two police officers gave different accounts about Rahul’s death
The family has also alleged that two police officers gave different accounts about Rahul’s death. While one officer allegedly said that Rahul died after hanging himself with his trousers, another reportedly claimed that he died after hitting his head.
The family has questioned how Rahul could have died by suicide using a pair of trousers and demanded clarity over the circumstances of his death.
The incident has triggered tension in the Chandrakona area, while the circumstances surrounding Rahul’s death are likely to be investigated.
