May be custodial killing?
- The magistrate enquiry has been ordered and it will ascertain the facts in the allegedly hanging death.
- Inside the lockup, from where the rope and other material sneaked in the lockup and where were the deployed police personnel at that time.
JJ CORRESPONDENT
Kathua, Feb 06: A suspected drug peddler who was arrested by police two days earlier allegedly hanged himself inside a lockup at a police station Hira Nagar in the morning. The 35 year old Sunil Verma was arrested by the concerned police two days earlier and was on police remand.
The news of the death of Sunil Verma has spread in the area like a wild fire and the people from the locality including relatives and friends assembled and started a protest demanding the judicial probe into the death. The relatives staging protest were pressing that it was a custodial killing and there should be fair probe into the allegedly custodial killing. The relatives were having different narratives in the killing but the probe will make the air clear.
Meanwhile, the SHO was removed and a Reserved Inspector has given the charge till the permanent order may be made and as per the SSP Kathua concerned constables have been placed under suspension till the enquiry report come.
The Deputy Commissioner Kathua and Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua immediately rushed on the spot and DC Kathua ordered the magistrate inquiry and Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua will lead the enquiry.
Sunil Verma, a resident of Tapyal village, was arrested along with 11.47 grams of heroin during vehicle checking in Hiranagar area on Thursday and was being questioned at the local police station, the officials said.
Verma was found hanging with his muffler inside the washroom at the police station around 8.10 am and was rushed to Government Medical College hospital Kathua, where he was declared brought dead, the officials said, claiming he had committed suicide.
However, his relatives on getting information about his death visited the police station and later blocked Jammu-Pathankot highway near Londi Morh demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident.
The protesters also demanded immediate suspension of the officers concerned, the officials said, adding senior police and civil officers have rushed to the scene to ensure early opening of the highway.
The officials said the body will be handed over to his family after completion of legal formalities.
