A 31-year-old man, arrested in connection with a murder case, was discovered dead in a police lock-up in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, early Sunday morning. The deceased, identified as Balkrishna Jatav, also known as Sunny, was found hanging in the lock-up of the Civil Lines police station around 5:30 a.m. Local authorities have tentatively ruled the death as a suicide.
Sunny was apprehended on Saturday in relation to the murder of his brother-in-law, whose body was recovered near a canal last December. However, Sunny’s family alleges he was taken into custody four days prior to his death. Following the discovery of the body, senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh, suspended the station in-charge, inspector Rambabu Yadav, a head constable, and a constable. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Arvind Thakur confirmed the suspension and stated that, at first glance, the case appears to be a suicide.
The incident has sparked significant controversy, with opposition Congress leaders accusing the police of targeting members of Scheduled Caste communities. Congress has demanded the dismissal of the Morena Superintendent of Police, citing a recent incident in Katni involving alleged police brutality against a Dalit woman and her grandson. Congress leader Jitu Patwari took to X (formerly Twitter), questioning whether being a Dalit in Madhya Pradesh equates to being targeted by the police. Patwari has threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the Morena SP is not removed and if no murder case is filed against the policemen involved.
In response to the incident, heavy police forces have been deployed around the police station following protests from Sunny’s family and supporters, who claim foul play in his death. The authorities have initiated an autopsy, which will be conducted by a panel of doctors. A judicial magistrate has been assigned to investigate the custodial death in accordance with guidelines set by the National Human Rights Commission.
Sunny’s criminal record includes several cases registered against him in various police stations, adding to the complexity of the situation. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and addressing the allegations made by Sunny’s family and political figures.
