Bhubaneswar: Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday directed the Police Commissioner to submit a detailed report on the custodial death of a vegetable vendor in Baragada Police station by 20 May next.
Taking suo Motu cognizance of the incident, OHRC has issued an order asking the Police Commissioner to submit the report along with post-mortem report and other relevant documents.
“In the present incident, prima facie, allegations of custodial violence cannot be ruled out,” the Commission said.
The report should also take into account the allegation of impersonation, the OHRC told the police.
There was confusion about the identity of the deceased as the police record said his name was Pradip Sahu, while his family claimed that it was Debendra Choudhury. His wife produced his Aadhar card to support her claim.
The vegetables and egg vendor was picked up by the police on Sunday for allegedly stealing a bicycle. His wife had said though he limped, he was healthy.
His wife had alleged that he was tortured inside Badagada police station in Bhubaneswar leading to his death, while the police claimed he was injured while trying to escape and died in a hospital later.
“My husband died due to torture in the police station. He had no involvement in any theft case,” she alleged
