Surajpur (Chhattisgarh):Following the custodial death ofa junior engineer, Poonam Katlam, who was taken into custody on murder charges, 10 policemen including the outpost in-charge has been line attached and a new in-charge has been posted at the police station.
The deceased's brother has alleged that Poonam died after he was assaulted in custody. However, the police have denied the claim and said he died due of heart attack.
In a conversation with ETV Bharat, earlier, the opposition leader Dharamlal Kaushik had questioned the functioning of the state government and the police and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Demand for magisterial inquiry
Accusing the police administration of assault, the family has demanded a magisterial inquiry. They also staged a protest keeping the body on the road. Later, locals also joined in the agitation following which the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) assured the people of action.
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Case chronology:
- On Monday (November 23) a man named Harish was killed in front of Vidyut Sub Station.
- During the investigation, four people, including JE Poonam Katalam were accused.
- The police went to arrest Poonam Katlam at 4 pm on Monday.
- Poonam's health deteriorated after reaching the police station after which he was admitted to the local Latori Hospital.
- He died on Tuesday (24 November) morning.
- On Tuesday, the family accused the police of assaulting him and staged a protest.
- The family has demanded a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
- On Tuesday, the police said that Poonam died of a heart attack, the claim was also confirmed by a doctor.
