Custody Death Row: Puri SP Akhileswar Singh Transferred

Puri (Reporters Today Bureau): Akhileswar Singh, SP Puri has been transferred and attached to SP headquarters after the custodian death issue raised over the State. K Vishal Singh, SP Sambalpur has been appointed as the SP of Puri. 

Tension prevailed in the pilgrim town on Thursday night following the alleged custodial death of a youth who was arrested by the Basheli Sahi police of 18th of November.  As per reports, Inspector General (IG) in-charge S Praveen visited Puri yesterday for a spot inspection. He met Puri SP Akhileshwar Singh and other senior officials and reviewed the developments in connection with the allegations leveled against the officials of Baseli Sahi Police Station. 

The IG in-charge has directed the officials to investigate the case in accordance with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines. Based on a tip-off that Ramesh possessed some weapons and was planning to execute a crime, a team of Baseli Sahi Police tried to stop him yesterday but Ramesh attacked them and subsequently a scuffle broke out, stated Puri SP.

In the face-off Ramesh sustained grievous injuries and some cops also received injuries. Ramesh was then taken to the police station where he complained of ill health. Though he was rushed to the DHH immediately, Ramesh was declared dead by the doctors. Alleging police excess, some locals accompanied by BJP workers clashed with the police outside the DHH later in the day. They demanded judicial probe into the incident and stern action against the policemen responsible for the death of the youth.

The members of District Bar Association also submitted a memorandum seeking a judicial probe into the case, and further demanded to book the Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Baseli Police Station under Section 302 of IPC. A case under Section 307 has already been lodged at Baseli Sahi Police Station in this connection.