BHUBANESWAR: The issue of custodial death has come into sharp focus with the recent death of a man in the Brahmanitarang police station of Sundargarh district. Orissa recorded 11 such deaths during past six years.

As per official figures obtained under the Right To Information Act, four custodial death cases each were reported during 2001 and 2005.

As many as 26 police officials were alleged to be responsible for deaths of the 11 persons in different police custodies of the State.

The investigation conducted by the then sub-collector of Angul into the death of one Manoj Mohapatra in Dhenkanal

Town Police Station in June 2005 had held the police responsible.

Subsequently, a case was registered under Section 302 of IPC against police officials.

Similarly, Justice C.R. Pal, who had investigated into the custodial death in the Mahanga police station of Cuttack district, observed that had there been proper watch, it would not have been possible on part of the man to commit suicide.

Appeal to High Court

A case under Section 306 that stands for culpable homicide was registered against two police officials. Human Rights Protection Cell was further conducting investigation into the case. The victim alleged to have succumbed to injuries caused by severe physical assault.

The year 2002 and 2006 had gone without any case of custodial death while there were allegations of two custodial deaths in 2003.

Five police personnel were placed under suspension in connection with the custodial death in Brahamnitarang police station on Saturday night while the SHRC was asked to inquire into the matter.

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