Two ASIs suspended over custodial death

The commissionerate police also announced magisterial inquiry into the death of the youth, who died due to alleged police torture here. "Two ASIs - Banamali Das and Giridhar Patnaik - have been placed under suspension on charge of dereliction in duty," DCP Nitinjit Singh told reporters.

Kuldeep Mahapatra, hours after his arrest on charges of impersonating as a police officer in Saheed Nagar area, died under mysterious circumstances. His family alleged that he was brutally beaten up in police custody. As per guideline, I have requested the sub-divisional sudicial magistrate (SDJM), Bhubaneswar to depute a magistrate to inquire into the matter. The magisterial inquiry would start following an order from the SDJM, Singh said.

Besides, the DCP himself would also conduct an administrative probe to find out if any dereliction in duty was committed by the Saheed Nagar police. Mahapatra was accused of extorting money from a businessman by identifying himself as a special branch inspector. He was allegedly manhandled by local people and later handed over to the police. Saheed Nagar police station Inspector Alok Jena too denied any torture and said Mahapatra succumbed to injuries after being beaten up by public.