Man hangs self in police lock-up at Kalol

In yet another case of a death in custody, one Kanubha Vaghela, 45, ended his life in lock-up at Kalol police station in Gandhingar district. This is the third suicide in police custody within a span of two weeks in Gandhinagar.

In July, a dowry accused had committed suicide at Dehgam police station and then, in August, a prohibition case accused was found dead while held in custody at Dabhoda police station, Gandhinagar district.

On Tuesday night, 45-year-old Kanubha Vaghela, a resident of Dhamasana village of Kalol taluka, hanged himself while in custody at Kalol police station.

According to  officials of Gandhinagar police,  Vaghela hanged himself at around 10:30 pm on Tuesday with his shirt tied to the grill of the lock-up door. At this time, there is minimal movement of policemen at the station. 

Vaghela, who was originally from Banaskantha, was arrested on Sunday on the charge of cable theft in Kalol. Investigation has revealed that Vaghela was not a dreaded criminal and this was the first time he had been caught by police. Shame or fear of law might have driven him to suicide, officials said. A case in this connection has been registered at Kalol city police station.

An enquiry, to be conducted by K S Savani, deputy superintendent of police (dysp), Kalol, has been ordered into the incident.

“This is really an unfortunate incident and we will definitely take action if someone is found responsible for Vaghela’s suicide,” said Savani.