Custodial death row: Dalit man dies in police custody after alleged poisoning in Madhya Pradesh
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh: A 22-year-old Dalit man, Ram Vishal Ahirwar, died under mysterious circumstances inside Chandla police station this week, sparking serious concerns over custodial safety, police accountability, and possible negligence.
Ram Vishal, a resident of Naharpur village, had gone to the police station along with his wife Leela to resolve a long-standing domestic dispute. The couple, married for two years and parents to a three-month-old baby, had been living separately due to frequent fights. According to police, both families were called for a reconciliation meeting.
During the discussions, Ram Vishal’s condition suddenly deteriorated. He started vomiting, and officers later recovered a suspicious substance, believed to be poison, from his pocket.
The exact time and manner in which he consumed the poison remain unclear. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital and then referred to the district hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
His wife Leela gave a heart-wrenching account of his final moments. “He was writhing in pain and repeatedly begged for water, but no one gave him even a drop,” she said. “He died in my lap on the way to the hospital. After that, I blacked out.”
The family has strongly alleged custodial violence. Ram Vishal’s mother, Mulia Ahirwar, claimed that police brutally beat her son inside the station. “We could hear his screams from outside. When I tried to reach him, they pushed me away,” she alleged. The family believes the police are trying to cover up a custodial assault by calling it a suicide or self-poisoning.
Police officials have defended their actions, stating that giving water to a person suspected of consuming poison can be medically dangerous. However, this explanation has only intensified public outrage and questions about whether basic first-aid protocols were followed.
In response to the incident, Superintendent of Police Agam Jain promptly suspended the Chandla station in-charge, Sandeep Dixit, and ordered a judicial inquiry. Additional SP Aditya Patle also visited the district hospital to review the situation.
Ram Vishal reportedly had a history of alcohol abuse and had previously assaulted his wife, which led Leela to return to her parental home. The domestic issue had brought the couple to the police station for mediation.
The tragic death has left behind a grieving young widow, a three-month-old infant without a father, and mounting scrutiny on the police force regarding human rights and accountability in custody. The judicial inquiry is expected to establish the exact sequence of events and fix responsibility.
Courtesy : MM
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