Two policemen were suspended Monday after a 22-year-old man allegedly committed suicide in lock-up, police said. The family of the victim, however, allege that he was tortured to death in custody.
"The incident took place at Alipur police station in Kolkata Sunday night when Sambhu Das, a resident of Chetla's Gopalnagar locality, committed suicide in the police lock-up after he suffered from withdrawal symptom," Deputy Commissioner (Detective Department) Jawed Shamim told IANS.
"An assistant sub-inspector rank officer and a constable were immediately suspended after the incident. This apart, the officer in charge of Alipur police station, Jawaharlal Dhole, was also removed from his duty this (Monday) morning," he said.
According to sources, Das reportedly hanged himself from the ventilator bar with his trousers when the lock-up guard was absent.
The family members and neighbours of the victim, however, alleged that Sambhu was tortured to death in the police custody.
Protesting the death hundreds of irate locals, including women, attacked the police station pelting stones, smashing windowpanes, breaking furniture and roughing up several cops.