Tension over death of youth in custody in Howrah district of West Bengal

Kolkata (IANS). People protested over the alleged custodial death of a youth in a correctional home in Howrah district of West Bengal. After this, Panchala in Kolkata turned into a battlefield on Saturday.

Actually, Somnath Sardar allegedly died in custody. After which there was a clash between the angry people and the police personnel who were trying to disperse the protesting crowd by creating a jam. The police had to resort to lathi charge to control the situation.

The angry mob attacked the police with bricks and stones. Rapid Action Force (RAF) contingent had to be deployed to bring the situation under control. Till the filing of the report, tension prevailed in the area.

According to reports, the deceased was arrested on August 29 for kidnapping a minor girl. On August 30, the accused was sent to judicial custody.

The police had claimed that he (the accused) had fallen ill in custody on Friday night. After which he was admitted to Howrah District Hospital, where he died during treatment on Saturday morning.

As soon as news of the man’s death reached the area, tension began to rise as locals alleged that Sardar’s death was the result of severe torture by the police in custody.

The victim’s family claimed that they found injuries on various parts of his body. This is a clear case of death due to custodial torture.

The police had already sent the victim’s body for post-mortem. A local police officer said the post-mortem process would be video recorded.

Tension in Bengal’s Howrah district over custodial death of youth