SP orders probe into alleged custodial torture

The Superintendent of Police formed an inquiry team to investigate allegations of torture of a detained person at Biridi police station on Wednesday.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICEJAGATSINGHPUR, 6 AUGUST:

Meanwhile, the victim has sought the intervention of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to take action against the police personnel allegedly involved in the custodial torture.

Sources said that on 25 July, a violent clash broke out between the supporters of Tirtol BJD MLA Ramakant Bhoi and Biridi Block Chairman Mamata Patra, stemming from a long-standing political rivalry.

During this incident, a 41-year-old man named Parthsarthi Das, a resident of Balia under Biridi police limits, had come to the block office along with a colleague to process payment for a construction project. Some miscreants involved in the political clash allegedly attacked him, tore his shirt, and slapped him.

Biridi police arrived at the spot, allegedly beat him without any provocation, and forcibly took him in a police jeep to the police station.

Das has claimed that he had no involvement in the clash, yet the police detained him from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., subjected him to brutal physical and mental torture inside the police station. He was released only after the intervention of a relative.