Two Police Officers Suspended After Man’s Suicide in Balrampur Custody
Incident Overview
In Balrampur district, Chhattisgarh, two police officers have been suspended following the alleged suicide of 30-year-old Guruchand Mandal while in police custody. Mandal reportedly hanged himself using his scarf inside a toilet at the Balrampur police station on Thursday.
Circumstances Surrounding the Death
Mandal was called in for questioning regarding his missing wife, who disappeared last month. He had filed a missing persons report at the Balrampur police station on September 29. According to the suspension order issued late Thursday, initial investigations revealed negligence on the part of Inspector Pramod Rusiya, the station in-charge, and Constable Ajay Yadav. Both were suspended immediately as a result.
Judicial Inquiry and Public Reaction
Following Mandal’s death, Principal District and Sessions Judge Ashok Kumar Sahu has ordered a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The situation escalated on Thursday when locals, angered by the news, gathered at the police station and vandalized vehicles parked outside. Police had to intervene to disperse the crowd.
Political Response
The opposition Congress party criticized the ruling BJP for what they described as a “deteriorating” law and order situation in Chhattisgarh. State Congress Chief Deepak Baij stated, “Such incidents are indicative of the failure of the BJP government. The situation is tense in Balrampur, as residents expressed their anger by pelting stones at the police station. The state government and administration are accountable for this incident.”
Baij condemned the incident and demanded a high-level investigation. In response, the Congress party has formed an eight-member committee to further investigate the circumstances surrounding Mandal’s death.
