Man dies in police custody in West Bengal’s Chandrakona

A man in his twenties, identified as Rahul Ruidas, died in police custody at the Chandrakona police station in West Midnapore, West Bengal. Ruidas had been arrested four days prior in connection with a theft case and was serving a court-ordered four-day police custody.

District police report that Ruidas allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself with his pants in a police station toilet on Sunday. Although officers attempted to rescue him and transported him to Chandrakona Rural Hospital and later to Ghatal Sub-district Hospital, he could not be saved.

The man’s family has disputed the police account, alleging he was killed while in custody. The victim’s brother claimed that police officers provided conflicting explanations regarding the cause of death, citing discrepancies between claims of self-strangulation and head injuries. Local reports noted the deceased had a history of drug addiction and involvement in theft and robbery, which his family acknowledged.