Kota: At least four policemen, including a sub-inspector, were booked for murder and the entire staff of Bundi Sadar police station was suspended on Tuesday. This was done after a 55-year-old man allegedly died in police custody at Ramnagar police check post on Monday afternoon.
Policemen from Ramnagar police check post on receiving report of gambling in Ramnagar village, reached the village on Monday around 2pm. They nabbed one of the accused identified as 55-year-old Harji Kanjar while others fled.
While the cops were taking Harji Kanjar to police check post outside the village, his condition deteriorated and the cops straightaway took him to Bundi district hospital, where he was declared brought dead. The family members and villagers created ruckus in Bundi district hospital alleging that Harji was beaten to death by police. They demanded action against police personnel, a judicial inquiry into the matter and compensation to Harji’s kin.
In his report to the police, Harji’s son Sultan Singh alleged that four cops identified as Hanuman, Satyanarayan, Prahlad and Madan from Bundi Sadar police station had come to his home and demanded money for Diwali. When Harji refused to oblige them they began to thrash him and forced him to sit on their motorbike. The cops held his father’s neck tightly which caused his death, the son alleged.
Bundi SP Shivraj Meena and Bundi MLA Ashok Dogera reached the hospital and convinced the family members. Kota range DIG Laxman Gour also reached Bundi and took stock of the situation. The family members after being assuaged by the officials agreed for post-mortem which was carried out in presence of judicial magistrate on Monday late evening.
But, the family members demanding a case of murder be filed against the cops blocked Bundi–Bejoliya route on Tuesday morning and refused to perform the last rites. The four cops were booked for murder under section 302 of IPC while entire staff of Bundi Sadar police station, including its circle inspector Shoket Ali was sent to line on Tuesday.
A report on alleged custodial death of Harji Kanjar is being sent to the state government, SDM Kailash Gurjar said.