Custodial Death in Katihar Triggers Judicial Inquiry and Mob Violence
In a disturbing incident in Katihar district, Bihar, a judicial inquiry has been ordered and a First Information Report (FIR) lodged following the alleged custodial death of Rakesh Kumar Yadav, a 24-year-old resident of Gopalpatti under Phalka police station. The case has escalated into violent mob unrest, resulting in the arrest of five individuals, including the main accused, for their involvement in an attack on the police station.
Arrests Made After Violent Mob Incident
Police authorities on Sunday arrested five people in connection with a violent mob attack on Phalka police station, which occurred on Saturday in the aftermath of Rakesh's death. The arrests were prompted by the mob's actions, which included creating a ruckus, blocking the Phalka-Kursela State Highway, misbehaving with police officials—including a woman constable—and attempting to snatch a police weapon. The mob's aggression was fueled by allegations of custodial death, accusing police of wrongdoing.
Details of the Custodial Death Case
Rakesh Kumar Yadav was arrested on Friday evening on suspicion of motorcycle theft. According to police reports, he died on Saturday morning during treatment at the Sadar Hospital in Katihar. Police claim that Rakesh attempted suicide by hanging himself in the police station lock-up. However, his family has vehemently disputed this account, accusing the police of brutally beating and torturing him to death while in custody.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the violence, police registered an FIR at Phalka police station based on CCTV footage, treating the case as one of unnatural death. Katihar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shikhar Chaudhary stated that the main accused, Diwakar Kumar Yadav alias Divo Yadav, a resident of Laxmipur Lohjar in Katihar, has been arrested along with four others: Monu Yadav, Prabhat Kumar, Roshan Kumar, and Abhimanyu Kumar, all residents of the adjoining Purnia district.
Following the incident on Saturday, SP Chaudhary immediately suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Phalka police station, Ravi Kumar Rai, and the investigating officer, Kundan Patel, and ordered an inquiry into the matter. He added that identification of other individuals involved in the incident through CCTV footage is ongoing, and strict action will be taken against them as well.
Ongoing Investigations and Autopsy
A special team led by SDPO (Sadar-II) Ranjan Kumar Singh is investigating the death of Rakesh Kumar Yadav. On Saturday, police sent the body to the Sadar Hospital for an autopsy by a medical board, and the report is currently awaited. According to police, CCTV footage from the lock-up shows Rakesh attempting suicide by hanging himself, though this is contested by his family's allegations of police brutality.
The situation remains tense as authorities work to balance the judicial inquiry into the custodial death with addressing the mob violence, highlighting broader concerns about police conduct and public unrest in the region.
