Katihar Custody Death Ignites Violent Protests, Police Officers Suspended
Tension erupted in the Phalka area of Katihar district after a young man died while in police custody, sparking violent protests from local residents. An enraged mob surrounded the Phalka police station, vandalizing the building and chasing and assaulting police officers, including a woman constable. The chaos forced several officers to flee to a nearby cornfield for safety.
Details of the Custody Death and Conflicting Accounts
The deceased, identified as Rakesh Kumar Yadav, a 24-year-old resident of Gopalpatti, was arrested on Thursday night on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle. He passed away on Saturday morning during treatment at the sadar hospital in Katihar. According to police officials, Rakesh attempted suicide by hanging himself inside the police station lock-up. When his condition worsened, he was rushed to the primary health centre around 7 a.m. and later referred to the sadar hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 11 a.m.
However, the family of the deceased has strongly rejected the police version of events. They accuse officers of brutally torturing Rakesh, claiming that although the owner of the stolen motorcycle did not identify him as the thief, police detained him overnight and beat him severely in front of family members to extract a confession. His sister-in-law, Komal Yadav, alleged that the Station House Officer (SHO) strangled him to death and is now falsely labeling it as a suicide attempt.
Violent Protests and Immediate Police Response
Soon after news of Rakesh's death spread, angry family members and local residents blocked the Phalka-Kursela State Highway, raising slogans against the police and district administration. The mob escalated the situation by snatching a police rifle, which was later recovered by authorities. In response to the incident, Superintendent of Police Shikhar Chaudhary took immediate action by suspending SHO Ravi Kumar Rai and the investigating officer, Kundan Patel. He also ordered a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the death.
A large contingent of police has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sadar-II, Ranjan Kumar Singh, stated that a special investigation team has been formed to examine all aspects of the case. He reiterated the police account, saying, "Rakesh was arrested in connection with a robbery case. He attempted suicide on Saturday morning and was taken to the hospital in a critical condition, where he died during treatment."
The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between the community and law enforcement, with calls for accountability and justice growing louder as investigations proceed.
