A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the death of Akash, a youth who was allegedly taken to Lordganj police station during Dussehra festivities in Jabalpur and later died after his condition deteriorated, with his family alleging custodial assault and police citing intoxication and sudden illness.
Akash, a resident of Shahpura, had travelled to Jabalpur with his younger brother Vivek Chaudhary to attend the celebrations. According to Vivek, Akash was taking photographs and videos during darshan at a Kali Mata temple at about 9 pm on Monday when police personnel suspected that he was intoxicated and took him to the police station.
Vivek told the Times of India that he followed his brother to the station but was asked to return home after being assured that Akash would be released in the morning. Around 4 am on Tuesday, a kotwar informed the family that Akash had died.
Akash’s mother, Mamta Chaudhary, alleged that her son was healthy when police took him away. She questioned why the family was not informed immediately and alleged that Akash had been assaulted in custody. The family also questioned the circumstances in which his condition worsened and challenged the suggestion that he suffered a heart attack.
Police have disputed the family’s account. CSP Akhilesh Gaur said officers had received information about alleged misbehaviour by some people near the Kali Mata celebrations at Garha Phatak. According to him, members of the organising committee brought Akash to the police station for security reasons after suspecting inappropriate behaviour.
Gaur said Akash appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was seated at the police station when his condition suddenly deteriorated. Police personnel took him to a private hospital, where he died, officers said. The police also said senior officers were informed about the incident.
The competing accounts place the circumstances of Akash’s detention, his medical condition and the timing of communication with his family at the centre of the inquiry. The case also involves the role of the festival organising committee, which police said brought Akash to the station, and the actions taken after he allegedly became unwell.
The superintendent of police subsequently approached the court seeking a judicial inquiry, and the court accepted the request. The inquiry is expected to examine the events leading to Akash being taken to the police station, the treatment he received there, the response after his condition deteriorated and the circumstances surrounding his death.
The judicial inquiry will determine the facts in a case where the family’s allegation of custodial assault conflicts with the police account of intoxication and sudden illness. Further findings from the court-directed process will establish the sequence of events and responsibility, if any, in Akash’s death.
