Custodial death: OC transferred, probe ordered into case

A day after a man allegedly died in police custody in Ganjam district, the officer-in-charge of the police station concerned was today transferred and Human Rights Protection Cell asked to probe the matter.
Dibya Lochan Behera, Sub-Inspector and officer-in-charge of Jagannath Prasad police station was transferred to the police headquarters at Chhatrapur, Superintendent of Police Narsingh Bhol said.
Sushant Sethi, inspector-in-charge of Ganjam police station took over the charge of Jagannath Prasad police station.
"The action was initiated after going through the preliminary inquiry into the alleged custodial death...," the SP said.
The SP explained that an officer-in-charge of a police station can not continue to head it after a case is registered against its own staff in the same police station.

A case was registered against the staff of the police station after Kumilata Swain, wife of the deceased, lodged an FIR alleging that her husband, Gourahari Swain, died due to police torture.
Swain, a resident of Patadhara village, was in police custody since Monday night in connection with a burglary case. Yesterday morning he complained of pain and was admitted to a hospital, where he later died.
"The exact cause of the death can only be ascertained from the autopsy report. Meanwhile, we have asked the DSP (HRPC) to inquire into the allegation made by the family of the deceased," the SP said.