Alleged Custodial Torture Of 6 Youths By Pipli Police: DIG Asked To  Probe

Cuttack/Puri: The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police (central Range) has been directed to investigate the alleged custodial torture of five persons at Pipili police station in Puri district.

" Allegations have been published in some print and electronic media about assault on some persons forwarded to jail on 19,11,2020 by Pipili police Station. An enquiry by DIG of police , Central Range, Cuttack has been ordered into the allegations", read a press statement released by the Odisha police on Saturday.

According to reports, the Pipili police had arrested six persons in connection with the attack on a youth which took place in Bhabanipur under the police station's jurisdictions. Five of the accused were subjected to third degree torture by the police, their family members alleged. They are alleged to be in serious condition at the SCB medical in Cuttack.

The six youths- Hafiz Khan (25), Pratap Kumar Behera (23), Raju Behera (18), Mohammad Tafiq alias Juma (18), Jagannath Puspalak alias Jaga (19) and Dharanidhar Behera (24) were arrested by Pipili police on November 14 for allegedly attacking a youth.

They were, later forwarded to court and subsequently sent to Nimapada jail.  The jail authorities, however, allegedly refused to lodge them owing to their deteriorating health condition.

They were initially admitted to Nimapada Community Health Centre and later shifted SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Subani Behera, grandmother of Raju alleged, “It has been nine days since the police took him away. They have beaten him brutally, causing multiple injuries on his body. They are not allowing us to meet him.”

The Pipili Police is yet to respond on the alleged custodial torture on the six youths.

“The arrestees had been mercilessly beaten in the police custody in clear violation of Human Right norms. I heard they were beaten so brutally that they were unable to even put their signature. They were directly sent to SCB from Nimapada jail. The entire incident should be investigated,” said Surat Raiguru, a lawyer.