Man dies in police station, relatives allege custodial death
West Godavari, May 16 (INN): District Superintendent of Police C Ravi Varma on Monday ordered an enquiry into allegations that a man died to police excesses while in police custody at the at Tadepallegudem police station.
The man, Palakolanu Vishwanadh Rao (46), was found dead early on Monday in a water tank inside the police station. While the police maintain that he slipped and drowned in the tank while going to bathroom, Vishwanadh Rao's relatives claim that he was a victim of police excesses.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rama Krishna said that Vishwanadh Rao (46) was taken into custody on suspicion of being involved in the kidnap and murder of his bother-in-law Sheshaiah. The needle of suspicion had pointed towards Vishwanadha Rao since he and Sheshaiah had disputes among themselves over the ownership of a rice mill.
Mr Rama Krishna further revealed that Tadepalligudem police had taken Vishwanadh Rao into their custody for questioning after Sheshaiah was kidnapped and murdered. 'Early on Monday, Vishwanadha Rao was on way to bathroom but fell into the water tank and swallowed a large amount of water, due to which he died' the police claimed.
However, Vishwanadh Rao's relatives raised doubts about the circumstances of his death and alleged that police had killed him in police station and were projecting the death as an accident in order to mislead them. Following the allegations, district SP C Ravi Varma has ordered the enquiry. Meanwhile a case has been registered and further investigations are on.
News Posted: 16 May, 2011
|
