Custodial death: Human rights panel sends notice to top cop

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued a notice to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma over the report of custodial death of a vendor last week. Som Lal, 24, was detained in the Adarsh Nagar Police Station, where, during questioning, he was allegedly thrashed by three constables.

“A probe by the SDM has been initiated. Relatives of Som, who hailed from the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh, have alleged that he was beaten up in the custody by three constables, following which he tried to escape. They claim that the policemen then threw him off the terrace,” the NHRC said in a statement, adding that the allegation of death in police custody is a matter of grave concern.

Top cop Verma has been asked to submit all relevant documents with his report viz., post-mortem and inquest reports, CD of the post-mortem and the magisterial inquiry report in the matter.

Meanwhile, denying all charges, a senior police officer said that presumably fearing arrest after interrogation, Som himself jumped off the terrace of the police station.

According to sources, an inquiry has revealed that the SHO of Adarsh Nagar, an assistant sub-inspector and three constables were involved in hushing up the matter. They have all been suspended and legal action has been initiated, an officer said.