Chhattisgarh: Kabirdham ASP suspended, Rs 10 lakh for kin of undertrial who died in prison

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh govt has suspended an additional superintendent of police a day after a 27-year-old man, held for the murder of a deputy sarpanch along with several others, was found dead in prison in Kabirdham district.
Deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the home portfolio, chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday night in Kabirdham district and announced that the govt has decided to give Rs 10 lakh as relief compensation for the victim’s family.
“On the orders of chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Kabirdham ASP Vikas Kumar has been suspended following the death of Prashant Sahu, and the CM has announced a relief amount of Rs 10 lakh for Sahu’s family,” Sharma said.
Prashant Sahu’s death marks the third in Kabirdham’s Loharadih village in Rengakhar since Sunday, after a village mob lynched deputy sarpanch Raghunath Sahu. The mob was enraged over the alleged suicide of one Kachru Sahu, holding Raghunath responsible for his death. Kachru was found hanging in the neighbouring Bijatola village in MP.
Considering the enmity between the deceased and Raghunath, villagers in large numbers attacked the latter’s family, set his house on fire, and killed him.
Police had rescued three family members of Raghunath’s family, who were admitted to the hospital, while other relatives were taken to a safe place. The village mob launched an attack on the police as well, in which the SP and other cops were hurt.
Over 69 people were arrested from the village, including Prashant, who was allegedly beaten up by the police on the orders of ASP Vikas, alleged the villagers after he was found dead in prison. His condition was bad when he was taken to the hospital, and though he was taken back to prison, his health deteriorated, leading to his death, police said, adding that he was suffering from seizures and was an alcoholic.
Speaking to reporters in Kabirdham during his visit on Wednesday night, Deputy CM Sharma said, “The death in jail is a matter of investigation. On Tuesday, he was taken to the hospital for an examination during which an X-ray of his hand was done. As per doctors, the report was normal. On Wednesday, after his death, there were injury marks found on the body. His viscera samples have been sent for forensic examination and its report is awaited."
Sharma said that the investigations were underway and the probe will also cover the death of Kachru Sahu. No innocent person will be put behind bars and no accused will be set free, he said.
The opposition Congress has constituted a team for a probe into the custodial death and the incident of murder. Leader of the opposition Charandas Mahant had said that Prashant died of beating and torture in police custody. Former chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel had visited the spot of the incident and he accused the police of negligence, stating that the police could have prevented the crime.