Shillong, Apr 26: A custodial death was reported after an accused in a case was found dead in police lock up in Khanapara police station in Ri Bhoi on Friday morning.
Police claimed that the accused person Rudra Rabha “committed suicide inside the male lock up of the PS by hanging himself from the bars of the lock up with a piece of cloth which he may have made by tearing from the blanket sheet which was provided to him inside the lock up”.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ri Bhoi SP Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said with reference to Khanapara PS Case No.12(03)2024 U/S 379/401/511/307/34 IPC R/W sec 27(2) of Arms Act, the accused person Rudra, who is also the leader of the gang, was arrested on April 24 and on being produced before the court on April 25, was awarded to 5 days’ police custody. During interrogation of the accused person in connection with the case while in police custody, he admitted that he had kept a country made firearm in concealment in the jungle and expressed his willingness to lead the police team to the place for its recovery Accordingly, on being led by the accused person, the firearm was recovered from the jungle area at Ranibari in the presence of the independent witness. “After observing all legal formalities at the place of occurrence, the recovered firearm was seized and the accused person was brought back to Khanapara PS @ 1:05 Am of 26.04.2024 and kept in the PS lock up for safe custody as there is no lock up in Rani Jirang BOP. However, today 26.04.2024 at around 04:00 am, the sentry on duty, found that the accused person Shri Rudra Rabha had committed suicide inside the male lock up of the PS by hanging himself from the bars of the lock up with a piece of cloth which he may have made by tearing from the blanket sheet which was provided to him inside the lock- up”, the SP said.
In this regard, an Executive Magistrate has been deputed by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh to conduct inquest in the presence of a Medical Officer under proper videography/photography, the SP added
“Further, it is to be informed that a regular case vide Nongpoh PS Case No. 42(4)2024U/s 304(A) IPC has been registered and investigation is under process”, the SP added.
Rudra is the step father of Ajit Rabha who was arrested along with Kavita Rabha on March 26 this year in connection with alleged stealing of forest produce.
Police had said Ajit and Kavita were found moving with weapons near the jungle of Ranibari village.
After they were arrested, both had revealed to be the members of a gang involved in theft of sal trees, bikes, betel nuts and others. The leader of the gang was Rudra, the step father of Ajit. Further, during the search of the house of Ajit, a country made SBML firearm was recovered alongwith gunpowder used for ammunition. A case was registered at Khanapara police station.
