Davanagere. Violence broke out in Karnataka’s Davanagere district on Saturday after a man died in police custody. After the death, the angry mob surrounded the police station and started shouting slogans. The mob vandalized the police station and set several vehicles on fire. Police said Adil (30), who was detained on May 24 for his alleged involvement in gambling-related activities in the district, died last night after his health condition deteriorated. The incident is reported from Channagiri town.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on the incident that the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Inspector of Channagiri Police Station have been suspended after the attack. He also said that this death did not happen in custody. After the news of the death, a large group of people along with his relatives created a ruckus, damaged police vehicles and pelted stones at the police station. They alleged that Adil died in custody.
Davanagere Superintendent of Police (SP) Uma Prashant said that the body has been taken to the government hospital and will be handed over to the family members after the postmortem. According to the SP, the police is patrolling the area and additional forces have been deployed in Channagiri. He said action will be taken based on the postmortem report. The postmortem will be conducted in the presence of a magistrate.
The police claim that the accused died within six to seven minutes of being brought to the police station. Reacting to the incident, Siddaramaiah said that the accused had epileptic seizures. The Chief Minister said, ‘The accused had seizures. That is why I said that it was wrong to call him to the police station. The Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Police Inspector have been suspended because no one can be brought to the police station without an FIR.’
The Chief Minister said that the accused should have been sent back after interrogation and should not have been kept in police custody. He said, ‘It is the police’s fault, but this is not a death in custody. I have found out about it.’
Karnataka
FIRST PUBLISHED : May 25, 2024, 21:15 IST