Ramakanta Biswas

Puri: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit of Odisha on Sunday renewed its demand for a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of a 30-year-old man at Baseli Sahi police station in Puri district last month.

Addressing a presser, BJP leader and Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi alleged that efforts are being made to cover up the death of K Ramesh who died in police custody at Baseli Sahi police station on November 18.

"The then SP of Puri is now posted at State police headquarters while the IIC is posted at district police headquarters. It indicates that efforts are being made to hush up the case," Sarangi said.

The party questioned why cases under Section 302 (murder) have not been filed yet against those involved in the death of Ramesh.

"A long time has passed since the death of K Ramesh, but it is yet to be ascertained who had killed him. While a case was registered against the deceased, no case has been filed under Section 302 (murder) against the culprit(s)," the legislator added.

Citing the post-mortem report, Sarangi said that Ramesh was beaten to death in the police custody.

"The post-mortem report has arrived which confirmed that K Ramesh was beaten to death. Efforts were made to destroy the evidence in the case. Besides, the deceased's family members were threatened and bribe was offered to them which was exposed by the media," he added.

Concerned authorities have however not commented anything on the allegations levelled by the BJP.

It is reminded here that K Ramesh, a resident of Lokanath Road area of Puri town was picked up by police over some old cases. He allegedly died in the custody on November 18.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)

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