The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Student's death at police station triggers violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 20, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Student's death at police station triggers violence

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE, JAN. 19. Venkatagiri town in Nellore district is in the grip of tension since Wednesday morning following the suspicious death of a second year Intermediate student, S. Gopi (18), at the police station there.

While relatives alleged that it was a clear case of lock-up death, the police maintained that it was suicide.

On hearing the news, a large number of people gathered in front of the police station and staged a dharna, demanding action against the police. They also pelted stones on the station, resulting in injuries to some policemen. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob. Nine persons were arrested in this connection.

According to the Superintendent of Police, B. Sivadhar Reddy, Gopi was expelled from college for allegedly teasing a girl studying in the same college.

Later, he joined a corporate college here. Gopi went to Venkatagiri, his hometown, for Sankranti, where he allegedly misbehaved with the girl on January 18.

Enraged relatives of the girl thrashed him and handed him over to the police. Gopi also filed a counter complaint.

The police produced the accused before the Magistrate who sent him for remand. However, in view of the expiry of jail timings, he was handed over to the police temporarily.

SP promises probe

At around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, he was found hanging in a room in the police station. It was not clear how the accused entered the room and committed suicide as there was supposed to be a sentry.

The SP admitted that there seemed to be a lapse on the part of the sentry and said that the matter would be probed.

He had deputed the Additional SP, D.V.S.S. Murthy, to Venkatagiri, and based on his report necessary action would be taken.

The RDO, Gudur, K. Subramanyam Reddy, conducted an inquest and the body was sent to Nellore for post-mortem.

When reached for comment, the Additional SP, who is camping at Venkatagiri, said the situation was under control.

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