NIZAMABAD: A farmer, Degavath Panthulu (45) of Moodugudisela tanda of Bada Bheemgal gram panchayat, died under suspicious circumstances in the lock-up of Bheemgal police station early on Tuesday.

He was found dead with a noose around his neck around 5.30 a.m. While the police said he hanged himself with a long cloth to a window of an AC room of the BSNL telephone exchange which is also located on the police station premises, the victim's relatives and villagers alleged that Panthulu died due to police torture. Later, the police described it as a suicide, they charged.

The victim was reportedly brought to the police station on Monday evening for interrogation pertaining to a murder of one Sankar of the same village. Sankar was murdered under suspicious conditions on January 17. Since then, Panthulu has been coming to the police station to give attendance regularly. Last week also he was summoned to the station, but was immediately let off.

According to Superintendent of Police Mahesh Chandra Laddha, the victim was an accused in the murder case. When Sankar was killed he was the only man with him in the village. When the sentry and the other police personnel lowered Panthulu from the noose he was no more, he explained.

The victim is survived by wife, Gangu, two sons and one daughter. The body was shifted to Area Hospital at Armoor where Revenue Divisional Officer Chandrasekhar conducted the inquest.

Meanwhile, tense situation prevails before the police station at Bheemgal with villagers and tribal people gathering in good strength raising slogans demanding justice to the bereaved family. They alleged that the police resorted to third degree torture against Panthulu.

Two policemen suspended

Bheemgal Sub-Inspector Srinath Reddy and head constable Chinnaiah were placed under suspension by Deputy Inspector-General Anjani Kumar in connection with the death. Earlier, people had demanded the suspension of the Circle Inspector and the Sub-Inspector holding them responsible for the custodial death.

The SP told The Hindu that Additional SP B. Ananda Rao had been asked to enquire into the death.

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