Arunachal: Murder accused found hanging in police custody; two policemen suspended
By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: A 35-year-old man arrested in a murder case was found hanging inside a police lock-up in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district, prompting a custodial death probe and disciplinary action against police personnel, officials said on April 28.
The deceased, Biru Kharia, a resident of Assam’s Tinsukia district, was discovered hanging inside the lock-up at Namsai Police Station around 10:15 pm on April 27. He had been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, Pujamani Kharia.
Police said Kharia was taken into custody after an FIR was registered on April 26 and was remanded to five days of police custody by a court.
Namsai Superintendent of Police (in-charge) Thutan Jamba said Kharia used a sari to hang himself inside the lock-up.
“During custody, he was found hanging inside the lock-up. A sari was used in the incident,” Jamba said.
Following the incident, two police personnel have been suspended, and a show-cause notice has been issued to the officer in charge of the police station. Departmental proceedings have also been initiated.
Police have registered a case of unnatural death. Both departmental and magisterial inquiries have been ordered to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.
“The matter is being taken seriously, and any lapses or negligence will be dealt with strictly,” the SP said.
Authorities said the lock-up has been sealed, and CCTV footage is being examined as part of the investigation. The body was handed over to family members after post-mortem examination.