Kendrapara: The BJP unit of Kendrapara led by its president, Duryodhan Sahu, Friday urged the Governor to order a judicial probe into the alleged custodial death of Susant Behera at Pattamundai police station.
Addressing a press meet at the party office in Duhuria, the BJP leader also demanded the transfer of Kendrapara SP Niti Sekhar, arrest of the IIC of Pattamundai police station and the ASI Pabitra Mohan Behera under Section 302 of IPC, and a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
“We are going to submit a memorandum to the Governor through the Collector Saturday,” Sahu said.
The BJP also alleged that the SP has ‘failed to control crime in the district’ as broad daylight crimes have increased in the past few months.
A BJP delegation also visited Susant’s house and met his family members Friday.
Susant, a resident of Aradapalli village under Pattamundai police limits, used to operate illegal liquor trade in the locality. A couple of police personnel Wednesday arrested the bootlegger at about 2 pm from his house and allegedly assaulted him near his house before taking him to Pattamundai police station. Susant fell sick at the police station and was rushed to Pattamundai CHC. Later, he was referred to the district headquarters hospital. But, when his condition deteriorated he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where he died.
Susant’s wife, Chinamayee, alleged that Pattamundai police personnel, including the IIC, assaulted her husband brutally in police custody which led to his death at the hospital.
Chinmayee lodged an FIR with the SDPO of Pattamundai in this regard.
Demanding the arrest of the accused police personnel and compensation, the family members and locals staged a dharna Wednesday night in front of Pattamundai police station.