Bengaluru: Four police personnel have been suspended after the death of a 22-year-old Dalit man at a rehabilitation centre near the city, days after he was allegedly tortured in police custody, a senior official said on Wednesday. The deceased, identified as Darshan P. G. from Viveknagar, died on November 26. The suspended personnel include an inspector, a constable and two staff members of the Viveknagar police station.
The case has now been handed over to the CID for a detailed investigation.
According to the complaint filed by Darshan’s mother, police detained him on November 12 for allegedly creating a ruckus and fighting with neighbours under the influence of alcohol. On November 16, following her request, he was shifted to a rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Bengaluru instead of being sent to jail, as he was struggling with alcohol addiction.
She alleged that police collected ₹7,500 as admission charges and directly transferred him to the centre. She claimed she was not allowed to speak to or meet her son and was repeatedly told that he was doing well. On November 26, she was informed that he had died due to respiratory issues. However, she noticed visible injury marks on his body and alleged that he had been tortured in police custody, leading to his death days later at the rehabilitation facility.
Acting on the complaint, Madanayakanahalli police registered a case under Sections 103 and 127 and Section 3 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case also names the owner of the private rehabilitation centre.
A senior officer said the CID will now examine the entire chain of events, from Darshan’s detention to the circumstances leading to his death, to determine responsibility and ensure accountability.
