The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mystery shrouds two constables' death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mystery shrouds two constables' death

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 17. The death of two constables of the Kamatipura police station while on duty last night is shrouded in mystery. The constables suddenly fell sick on the station premises and died later at the Osmania General Hospital (OGH).

While Narsimha (56) was declared brought dead, Samdhani (42) died while undergoing treatment for an hour.

A possibility

"They could have consumed Illicitly Distilled (ID) liquor that was stored in the police station after seizure," the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, R.P. Singh, told reporters here on Friday.

It had been a practice to store seized ID liquor in police stations. There was no other option, as rules did not empower the police to destroy ID liquor immediately after seizure, he explained. The Commissioner ruled out the possibility of the constables committing suicide or others forcibly fraudulently administering poison to them.

A case of suspicious death under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C. was registered. The Charminar ACP, Syed Sharfuddin, would inquire into the deaths.

Sources in the Kamatipura area said both the constables were spotted at a wine shop at Bahadurpura crossroads at around 9 p.m. on Thursday and at a toddy compound an hour later. It was said the duo consumed liquor and toddy as well. After they ran short of money, they reportedly asked a police Assistant Sub-Inspector, who was patrolling that area, for some money.

Unconfirmed reports said the constables took Rs. 25 from the ASI and proceeded to Parthivada, where they reportedly had `gudumba' (ID liquor) before coming to the police station for duty. Entry in the police station's General Diary indicated that they resumed duty at around 9.30 p.m. "While Samdhani was on sentry duty, Narsimha was relaxing at the barrack having returned after looking out for a history-sheeter," Mr. Singh maintained.

Past history

According to the Commissioner, Samdhani was a drunkard and transferred from Karimnagar to the city on such complaints. Samdhani suddenly began vomiting and complained of giddiness. He was taken to the barrack where he fell unconscious. More or less at the same time Narasimha too developed complications and both were shifted to the OGH.

While Narasimha had been working at the police station since August 18, 2001, Samdhani had been working since December 18, 2002.

The Commissioner also ruled out the food poisoning angle.

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