Ranchi — A 25-year-old man accused of molesting a minor girl died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, sparking controversy over possible custodial negligence.
The man, Rahul Manjhi of Meral village, had been arrested on Monday night after villagers accused him of misbehaving with a girl in Mahil village. Reports say he fled to his native place but was brought back by locals and handed over to the Murhu police.
Police claim Manjhi took his own life by hanging himself inside the station’s toilet on Tuesday morning. Superintendent of Police Manish Toppo confirmed that the accused was lodged overnight and later found dead.
While authorities insist it is a case of suicide, Manjhi’s family members allege foul play, questioning how such an incident could occur inside a secured lockup. “We want a transparent investigation. He was in custody; the police are accountable,” a relative said.
A post-mortem examination has been ordered, and senior officers have opened an inquiry to determine whether there was negligence or misconduct by personnel on duty.
With inputs from IANS