Custodial deaths of 2 youth: Fresh probe ordered

Aurangabad Police Commissioner Rajendra Sinha will initiate a fresh probe into the suspected custodial deaths of two local youth in 2003 following a Supreme Court directive.
"The Supreme Court has ordered the Aurangabad Police Commissioner to submit his probe report in three months time," Deputy Superintendent of Police S D Raut said, adding that Sinha was scheduled to begin his enquiry on September 11 and had issued summons to 88 witnesses, including police officers, but it could not be done due to an urgent meeting arranged by the Inspector General of Police in Mumbai on September 12.
Sinha would return to Yavatmal and resume the probe, Raut said.

The case pertains to two youth -- Suresh Sonkusare and Ajay Mohite -- who were taken into custody in connection with an alleged dacoity at the residence of local moneylender Champaklal Bajaj.
Police had claimed that the two youth consumed poison during interrogation and died instantly in the custody of the local Crime Branch which is located near the office of the SP.
The police closed the file claiming that they consumed poison and died due to it.

However, Shiv Sena leader Shailesh Thakur of Ghatanji questioned the police's version and filed a complaint before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

After a hearing and perusal of documents, the SHRC ordered the police to register criminal cases against those guilty.
As no action was taken, Thakur approached the high court, which ordered an enquiry by a sub-divisional magistrate. The SDM's report submitted to the court merely confirmed the investigation report of the police following which Thakur approached the Supreme Court.
After a preliminary hearing, the Supreme Court ordered the Police Commissioner of Aurangabad to hold a fresh probe and report to it within three months.