Nabarangpur, April 30: In a significant development, the Superintendent of Police (SP) has suspended three police personnel in connection with the custodial death of an youth inside the Dabugaon police station lock-up. The suspended officials include Sub-Inspector Bikram Sahu, constable Karna Pujari and Buduram Majhi. The action was taken on charges of negligence in duty.

According to sources, the youth from Medena panchayat area was arrested two days ago in a rape case. His medical examination was completed on Tuesday. He was scheduled to be produced before a court on Wednesday. However, late on Tuesday night, he allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself with a bedsheet inside the lock-up.

The incident triggered tension in the area, with the deceased’s family members and hundreds of villagers staging a protest outside the police station. Alleging custodial torture, the family claimed that he was beaten to death by police and the incident was being projected as suicide. Protesters blocked roads, burned tyres and pelted stones and glass bottles at the police station, injuring a home guard.

Police later brought the situation under control. Senior administrative officials, including the Additional SP and Sub-Collector, along with local leaders Pradeep Majhi, Manohar Randhari and Bhujabal Majhi, reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating villagers. The road blockade was lifted following assurances of action.

Sub-Collector Prakash Mishra stated that a detailed investigation into the custodial death will be conducted and strict action will be taken against those found responsible.

The incident has raised serious questions over security inside the police lock-up, with doubts emerging over how the accused could allegedly take his own life despite round-the-clock police presence. A high-level probe is expected to ascertain the exact cause of death.