Custodial Death Sparks Outrage in Madhya Pradesh

A 31-year-old man, Balkrishna Jatav, was found dead in police custody in Morena, Madhya Pradesh. The incident, suspected to be a suicide, led to the suspension of three police officers. The opposition Congress has accused the police of targeting Scheduled Caste communities and demanded further action.

A 31-year-old man, arrested in a murder case, was found hanging in a police station lock-up in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district on Sunday morning, resulting in the suspension of three police personnel, officials confirmed.

Authorities suspect the incident to be a suicide. However, the opposition Congress party claimed the deceased, identified as Balkrishna Jatav, was a Dalit and accused the police of targeting members of Scheduled Caste communities. Senior police officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate Bhupendra Singh Kushwaha, were alerted after Jatav, alias Sunny, was discovered hanging from a window inside the lock-up at around 5.30 am.

Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh visited the scene and subsequently suspended the police station in-charge, inspector Rambabu Yadav, a head constable, and a constable over the custodial death, according to Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Thakur. A judicial probe will be conducted following National Human Rights Commission guidelines. Meanwhile, Congress demanded the dismissal of the Morena superintendent of police and asserted that the BJP government harbors animosity against people adhering to Dr. BR Ambedkar's ideology. Heavy police deployment has been arranged as protests erupted, alleging foul play.

(With inputs from agencies.)