Bihar police suspend six officers after custodial death

Six police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended in Bihar’s West Champaran district following the custodial death of 25-year-old Dilshad Ansari. The officials, who were stationed at the Sahodra police station, include Station House Officer Ravi Shankar Kumar, sub-inspector Arun Kumar, and four constables.

Ansari had been arrested in connection with a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. According to Bettiah Police, Ansari sustained serious head injuries after allegedly jumping from a moving police vehicle while being transported to the station. He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital in Bettiah.

However, the victim’s family and social activists have rejected the police account, alleging that Ansari was assaulted in custody. Ali Anwar, head of the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, has called on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to charge the officers with kidnapping and murder, noting that the absence of limb injuries contradicts the claim that he jumped from a vehicle. Anwar also urged the National Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure ex gratia payments are made to the deceased’s dependents.