Custodial death: Mob attacks police station in Bihar

A mob protesting the custodial death of an old man attacked a police station in Bihar's Jehanabad district, an officer said.

As the news spread that Devki Choudhary, in his mid-60s, who was arrested Thursday night for allegedly stealing electricity, had died in police custody, hundreds of people surrounded Sakurabad police station in Jehanabad, about 50 km from here.

The mob set a police vehicle on fire, beat up a police officer and roughed up a legislator, the district police officer said.

"Angry people set a police vehicle on fire, ransacked the police station and beat up officer in-charge Vijay Kumar," he added.

Ruling Janata Dal-United legislator Abhiram Sharma also faced the angry people and was forced to leave the police station when he tried to pacify them.

Protesters blocked roads demanding action against the police officers responsible for Choudhary's death.

The dead man's family said he died in police custody after he was badly beaten up and tortured by police.

However, Jehanabad Superintendent of Police Shyali Dhurat told IANS over telephone that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the police officers will be punished if found guilty.

She said police officers informed her that the victim died due to cold.

Taking cognizance of the incident, Bihar Human Rights Commission has asked the Deputy Inspector General of Magadh range to submit an action taken report on the incident.