Khordha (UDN): A youth allegedly died after being assaulted by a mob on suspicion of theft in Odisha’s Khordha district, with the incident taking a further turn after the victim’s family accused the police of assaulting him while in custody.
The deceased has been identified as Tofan Nayak, a resident of Baghuapadar Sahi under Bhimpur village in Banapur. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at Khanata village under the jurisdiction of Banapur police station.
According to preliminary information, Tofan was allegedly caught by villagers on suspicion of theft and tied to an electric pole before being beaten by a group of people. Visuals purportedly captured on CCTV, which have surfaced after the incident, allegedly show the youth being repeatedly assaulted while restrained.
After receiving information, Banapur police reached the spot and rescued the injured youth. He was later taken into police custody before being shifted for medical treatment. However, Tofan’s family has alleged that he was subjected to further assault inside the police station before being taken to hospital.
The victim’s mother claimed that although the family waited outside the police station for several hours, they were not allowed to meet him. She further alleged that by the time he was taken to hospital, he had sustained severe injuries, including swelling to his face and bleeding from the mouth. Tofan later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Police have not officially responded to the allegations of custodial assault. The circumstances leading to the youth’s death, including the family’s allegations against the police, are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has sparked concern over alleged incidents of mob violence and the handling of suspects by law enforcement. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and fix responsibility for the death.
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