A tragic incident in Jamshedpur has sparked allegations and an official inquiry after a 22-year-old man, who had just become a father, died following his arrest by the police. The deceased, identified as Ajit Mahato alias Jeet, was arrested on December 29 in connection with the purchase of a stolen mobile phone and passed away at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) on Wednesday evening.
Family Alleges Torture, Police Deny Claims
The family of Ajit Mahato, a resident of Gokul Nagar under the MGM police station limits, has leveled serious accusations against the police. His wife, Pyari, who gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday, stated that her husband was unwell at the time of his detention. She claimed he was held at the police station for about 30 hours without food or water and was subjected to torture, which severely deteriorated his health and led to his hospitalization.
"He could not withstand the beatings, and the police torture took his life," Pyari alleged. She further explained that Ajit's only fault was purchasing a stolen phone from a friend for Rs 500 a few days prior to his arrest.
Police Version and Official Inquiry
However, the East Singhbhum police have strongly refuted the allegations of torture. Deputy SP (Patamda range) Bachan Deo Kujur presented a different sequence of events. He stated that Ajit was unwell and not taking food, which caused his condition to worsen. The police claimed he was released from the police station on December 29 itself and that it was his father who subsequently admitted him to the hospital.
SP (Rural) Rishab Garg confirmed that a post-mortem examination has been conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death and that the matter is under inquiry. Furthermore, on the complaint of Mahato's family, the MGM police station officer-in-charge, Sachin Kumar, registered a case of unnatural death on Wednesday, which is now being investigated.
A Life Cut Short Amid New Beginnings
The death of Ajit Mahato casts a shadow over what should have been a joyous time for his family, coming just a day after his wife delivered their daughter. The conflicting narratives between the grieving family and the police authorities have created a situation demanding transparent and swift investigation. The outcome of the official inquiry and the post-mortem report will be crucial in determining the circumstances that led to this custodial death in Jamshedpur.
