PRD jawan's alleged suicide in Dehradun lockup sparks foul play claims

A PRD jawan, Sunil Raturi, allegedly died by suicide in a Dehradun police lockup, sparking foul play allegations from his family. While a postmortem cited hanging, a judicial inquiry is underway and viscera has been sent for forensic tests.

A PRD jawan died allegedly by suicide inside the lockup at Raipur Police Station in Dehradun on Sunday, with his family suspecting foul play and demanding strict action against the police personnel on duty at the time.

Police Response and Investigation

Dehradun Police informed ANI that, in connection with the death of Sunil Raturi, related to Raipur Police Station, a postmortem was conducted by a panel of expert doctors.

According to the police, the doctors have cited hanging as the cause of death in the postmortem report. However, to ensure greater clarity regarding the cause of death and in view of the concerns raised by the deceased's family, viscera has been preserved and will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further examination. The entire matter will be subjected to a judicial inquiry, which will be conducted by a magistrate.

Details of Arrest

Speaking to ANI, Dehradun SP (Rural) Jaya Baluni said Raturi was arrested after police received a call on the emergency helpline about a person refusing to pay for petrol and creating a disturbance. "We received information on 112 that a person is refusing to pay for the petrol and creating a disturbance while claiming to be a police officer. The person was arrested and later found unresponsive inside the lockup. He was then declared dead at Coronation Hospital," Baluni told ANI.

Family Alleges Custodial Death

However, speaking to ANI, Raturi's brother-in-law, Akhilesh Dobhal, alleged it is a case of custodial death and demands strict action against all those who were present in the police station at that time. "We suspect that it is a custodial death... We want strict action against all those who were present in the police station at that time...They should have at least been suspended...You changed the entire staff of the department...This means the staff is involved in this...Their names should be made public through a statement," he said.

Action Taken Against Police Personnel

Meanwhile, SSP Dehradun, Pramendra Dobhal, has taken immediate action in the suspicious case of the alleged suicide of PRD jawan Sunil Raturi, who reportedly hanged himself using a blanket while in police custody at Raipur Police Station in Dehradun.

To ensure a transparent investigation into the matter, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Raipur Police Station, along with three police personnel posted at the station, have been attached to the Police Lines with immediate effect. Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Krishna Kumar Singh, who was deployed from Dalanwala Police Station for duty to maintain law and order, has been suspended with immediate effect by SSP Dehradun for not conducting himself in accordance with the dignity of his position during duty. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)