Puri: In a startling revelation, uncle of the K Ramesh-- who allegedly died in the custody of Puri police Wednesday-- claimed that the police tried to induce him with the promise of allotment of land if he maintained silence over the death of his nephew.
“Police told us that Ramesh had been killed in a road accident. They took our thumb impressions on a piece of paper after conducting the post mortem of his body. They said they will give me land if I remained silent over the incident,” alleged K Ariya following his ‘release’ from the ‘clutches’ of the police on Saturday. On November 18, Ariya and the deceased’s parents were taken to an undisclosed location by the police where they were kept for the next three days.
“Though the police claimed to have released Ramesh’s parents we are clueless on their whereabouts. They have not returned home so far,” he alleged.
It is worth mentioning that as per the police version, Ramesh was arrested by the Baselisahi police on Wednesday following a tussle while the former was trying to commit a crime in Mangalaghat area. During the scuffle, Ramesh allegedly sustained grievous injuries while some police personnel too received injuries. Ramesh was then taken to the police station where he complained of feeling unwell. Police claimed that though they shifted Ramesh to the DH Hospital, he was declared dead by the doctors.
Alleging police excess which had resulted in the death of Ramesh, locals and BJP workers clashed with the police outside the DHH later during the day. They demanded a judicial probe into the incident and stern action against the policemen responsible for the death of the youth.
On the other hand, the relatives of Ramesh alleged that police had picked up his father, K Gurumurthy, mother K Bharati and uncle Arya on Friday.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the Odisha government in connection with the alleged custodial death. The Commission’s directives came shortly after BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra filed a petition over the issue. The Orissa High Court has also sought a report from the Odisha government in connection with the death.
Hours after the HC direction, the state government transferred the Superintendent of Police (SP), Puri Akhileswar Singh and appointed the SP, Sambalpur Kanwar Vishal Singh in his place, in a late night move.
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Odisha Govt Transfers Puri SP, Effects Several Suspensions Amid Custodial Deaths Heat