Man Dies After Police Detention in Tumakuru, Family Alleges Torture
A 50-year-old man died of a suspected cardiac arrest inside the Huliyar police station in Tumakuru district on Thursday night, shortly after being detained with others on alleged charges of gambling. The incident has sparked protests and accusations of police misconduct, leading to a judicial inquest and a criminal investigation.
Details of the Incident
The deceased, identified as Kantaraju S, was a resident of Yalanadu and worked as an agriculturist. According to protesters, police detained six men, accusing them of playing cards, and brought them to the station for questioning around 8 pm. After taking statements, they were released by 9 pm. CCTV footage shows Kantaraju sitting near the steps of the station entrance before he collapsed.
He was immediately shifted in a police vehicle to a nearby private hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Family members and others brought the body back to the station, placing it inside and accusing police of torture. Authorities convinced them to allow a detailed inquiry, and the body was later shifted to a government hospital.
Police Response and Investigation
A senior IPS officer stated that doctors at the private hospital opined the death was due to cardiac arrest. However, a judicial inquest was conducted on Friday, and the autopsy report is awaited. The officer emphasized that the entire episode was recorded on CCTV cameras installed in and around the police station. The case has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further scrutiny.
In the presence of local police led by senior IPS officers, Kantaraju's last rites were performed on Friday evening. The incident has raised concerns about police procedures and the treatment of detainees, with calls for transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.
