Kolkata, 14 September (H.S.): Another death in police custody was reported in West Bengal on Monday, with a 20-year-old theft accused allegedly attempting suicide by hanging inside the toilet of Chandrakona Police Station in West Midnapore district. He was later declared dead at a hospital, while his family alleged that he was killed inside the police station.

The deceased was identified as Rahul Ruidas, a resident of Bogeswarpur under Chandrakona Police Station. According to police sources, Rahul was arrested around four days ago in connection with a theft case and was remanded to police custody for four days by the Ghatal Sub-Divisional Court.

On Sunday, Rahul allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself inside the police station toilet. Police personnel reportedly rushed to the toilet after hearing a sound and rescued him. He was initially taken to a nearby rural hospital and was later shifted to Ghatal Sub-Divisional Hospital after his condition deteriorated. Doctors at the sub-divisional hospital declared him dead.

Local sources claimed that Rahul was addicted to drugs. His family also acknowledged his drug addiction but alleged that he had been killed inside the police station. The district police administration has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

The latest incident comes nearly a month after the alleged custodial death of Birju Keot, husband of former Trinamool Congress councillor of Kanchrapara Municipality Zeni Sharma Keot, at Halisahar Police Station in North 24 Parganas district.

The incident took place in the Kanchrapara area during the second week of August. Zeni Sharma Keot lodged a complaint alleging that her husband was beaten to death by police personnel inside the lock-up.

Birju had been arrested by Halisahar Police on charges of alleged extortion and other corrupt practices. He was produced before a court and remanded to five days of police custody.

According to the complaint, police personnel allegedly assaulted Birju inside the lock-up after she had left the police station. Police sources, however, said Birju was found lying ill inside the lock-up and was rushed to the state-run medical college hospital at Kalyani in an emergency. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Birju's family in Halisahar on August 10, a day after former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced protests and an attack on her vehicle while she was visiting the area to meet the deceased's relatives.

Admitting police negligence in the incident, Suvendu said that Birju had died in police custody and announced a magisterialz inquiry. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family and a government job for the victim's wife.

On August 9, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by Trinamool Congress MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Dola Sen, had gone to Kanchrapara to meet Birju's family. Her convoy faced protests from locals near Bijpur Road.

The protesters allegedly attacked her vehicle three times and raised slogans of “chor, chor” (thief). Mud and slippers were also allegedly hurled at her car. The protesters claimed that Mamata had come to the area to provoke political unrest.

The two incidents of alleged custodial deaths have once again raised questions over the conduct of police personnel in custody and are likely to intensify the political debate in West Bengal over custodial safety and police accountability.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh