Custodial escape, death spark arrest and tension in Ramgarh

Political tensions flared in Ramgarh after the death of a man accused of sexually exploiting a woman — who had earlier escaped from police custody —led to arrest of a Hindu Tiger Force member

- Raj Kumar

RANCHI: A man accused of sexual exploitation, who had escaped from the lockup of Ramgarh police station in Ramgarh district on Friday, was found dead late Saturday evening in the Rajrappa police station area, officials familiar with the matter said on Sunday, adding that a person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The arrested individual, identified as Rajesh Sinha, is a member of the Hindu Tiger Force — a right-wing outfit active in parts of Jharkhand. Following his arrest, members of the organisation staged a protest, alleging police bias and demanding Sinha’s release.

“The Hindu Tiger Force member who was arrested is Rajesh Sinha. His supporters started an agitation after the arrest. According to them, police are falsely implicating Sinha in a criminal case while allowing real criminals to escape from custody,” a police official said.

Ramgarh superintendent of police (SP) Ajay Kumar confirmed the arrest but clarified that it was made in a separate matter involving the accused, who had earlier escaped from custody.

“Before the accused escaped from the lockup, he was assaulted at his shop by a group. The arrest was made in connection with that incident, not in the matter of the accused’s escape from police custody,” he said.