Jharkhand: Dalit youth brought to police station for questioning on suspicion of theft dies in police custody, family makes many serious allegations
The family members created an uproar after the death of a Dalit youth, who used to feed his family by washing utensils in the hotel, in police custody. Consensus reached between Ramgarh district administration on 6 demands.
Published on: 25 Feb 2024, 4:29 pm
Jharkhand. A Dalit youth, who used to feed his family by washing utensils in a small hotel in Ramgarh district, died in police custody. The police had taken the youth for questioning on suspicion of theft in the Chamber building of the area. The police was rapidly involved in the investigation of this case. After some time, the police informed the family that the young man had attempted suicide. After which there was chaos in the entire family. The family members started a ruckus accusing the police of murder. The opposition party also took the government to task on this issue. The family members initially refused to accept the body and started creating ruckus. Ramgarh district administration investigated the case and accepted 6 other demands, only after which the victim’s family agreed to cremate the body.
The whole matter pertains to the house of Mahendra Ram, resident of Ward No. 5 of Maloni Club area of Ramgarh police station area of Ramgarh district in Jharkhand. The Mooknayak spoke to Mahendra. Mahendra says, “I and my son Aniket Kumar Bhuiyan (19) used to work in Nanda Bar Hotel. He used to clean utensils in the hotel. His work helped the family a little financially. He sometimes He had done no wrong. He was falsely accused of theft. After which the police took him away.”
Mahendra further explains, “On February 21, 2024, both of us were doing our work in the hotel as usual. During this, at around 7 o’clock, three-four constables of Ramgarh police station came inside the hotel. They recorded my son’s name in the hotel. Asked and started taking him along. I asked them where they were taking him, on which they mentioned that they were being interrogated in a theft case. I let the policemen take my son. By late night my son was brought back. He did not come. We started worrying about it. Early in the morning, my wife and I reached 6-7 police station. The policemen present there did not allow me to meet my son. They also locked both of us in the police station and threatened to beat us and put to flight.”
“‘Late in the evening the police informed us that our son had torn a corner of the blanket in the police station toilet, made a noose out of it and hanged himself. We reached the police station but we were not allowed to see the body. The body was sent directly to the hospital.” Mahendra told.
After this incident, the family started creating ruckus by making serious allegations against the police. In the case, police say that Aniket hanged himself in the toilet, due to which he died. However, deceased Aniket Kumar’s father Mahendra Ram, mother Reena Devi and brother have made serious allegations against the police of assault. After which police and administration officials reached the spot.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, the district administration conducted the post-mortem of Aniket’s body by the medical team formed in the presence of the magistrate. A forensic department team from Ranchi reached Ramgarh police station and collected the samples.
After the incident, angry family members refused to accept Aniket’s body. He was continuously protesting and demanding justice. An agreement was reached between the district administration and the family on financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh, 05 D. land, government job, government accommodation, pension, ration card. The entire matter is being investigated by the National Human Rights Commission team, and officials at the departmental level have also started investigating the matter. SIT has also been formed in the case.
issue raised in the house
After Aniket’s death, political turmoil is being seen in the entire state. The opposition has started cornering the Jharkhand government on this issue. In Jharkhand Assembly too, this issue was raised strongly by Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, while Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Chaudhary reached the house of deceased Aniket to meet his family members and consoled the family. MP Chandra Prakash Chaudhary has raised questions over the working style of the Jharkhand government, accusing the police of covering up the case.
