Eight Cops Line-Attached After Custodial Death Sparks Violence In Damoh

Tension erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after the death of a man in police custody, with angry villagers pelting stones at police when his body reached his village after a panel post-mortem. Following the incident, eight police personnel were line-attached by SP Anand Kaladagi.

The deceased has been identified as Shiv Singh Lodhi. According to the source material, the situation turned tense in the Hindoriya area on Saturday after his death in police custody. After the panel post-mortem, the body reached the village at around 3 pm, following which angry villagers allegedly attacked the police with stones.

Damoh SDM Saurabh Gandharv and Patharia TI Mahendra Jaget were injured in the stone-pelting. Both were taken to Bandakpur Health Centre for treatment.

As the situation worsened, police forces from Damoh, Patharia, Patera and Hindoriya police stations were deployed at the spot. For nearly an hour, there was tension and commotion in the village. Patharia SDOP Priya Sindhi and Damoh CSP HR Pandey spoke to the villagers and pacified them. Only after that could the last rites of Shiv Singh be carried out.

The family members of the deceased have alleged that police had taken Shiv Singh into custody during action at a gambling den. They have claimed that he was beaten in custody, after which his health deteriorated and he died. However, the allegations of assault in police custody are being investigated.

After the incident, SP Anand Kaladagi line-attached eight police personnel. Those named include ASI Rajendra Mishra, ASI Ramkumar Singh, head constable Sanjay Pathak, Avinash Jat, Devendra Thakur, Virendra Mishra, Deepchand Chaudhary and Shivsadan.

The unrest had begun earlier as well after the family received information about Shiv Singh’s death. His relatives had created a ruckus at Hindoriya hospital. After that, the SP reached the spot and held discussions with the family members and villagers. Later, the body was sent for a panel post-mortem.

The family is demanding an impartial investigation into the matter and action against those found responsible. The SP has said that a high-level committee will be formed to investigate the case. Further action will be taken on the basis of the post-mortem report and the facts that emerge during the investigation.

The victim’s family has also been assured that financial assistance from the government will be provided.

According to the information given in the source material, Bandakpur and Hindoriya police had taken action at a gambling den in Hinouta village. During this action, police took Shiv Singh Lodhi into custody. Later, his family members were informed that his health had deteriorated. When they reached the hospital, Shiv Singh had already died.

After this, the family members levelled serious allegations against the police and started protesting. The situation then escalated further when the body was brought back to the village after the post-mortem, leading to stone-pelting and injuries to officials present at the spot.

Officials have said the investigation will look into the allegations made by the family, including the claim that Shiv Singh was assaulted while in custody. The next steps in the case will depend on the post-mortem findings and the inquiry report.