A 35-year-old Muslim man, identified as Barjahan Shah, died after being taken to Dubrajpur police station in West Bengal’s Birbhum district on suspicion of theft, triggering protests by his family and local residents.
While Shah’s family has alleged that he was assaulted in police custody and denied timely medical treatment, police have claimed that he was beaten by a mob that suspected him of theft. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
Family Alleges Assault in Police Custody
The incident reportedly took place on Thursday evening in the Jashpur area under Dubrajpur police station. Shah, a resident of Pachiyara village under Jashpur panchayat, had allegedly gone to a neighbouring locality when he was suspected of theft and handed over to the police.
According to his family, Shah was taken to the police station, where he was allegedly subjected to severe physical assault. They claimed that his condition deteriorated and that he did not receive timely medical attention.
He was subsequently taken to Dubrajpur Mansaray Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Shah’s family has demanded an impartial investigation and strict action against anyone found responsible.
His son, Ismail Shah, alleged that CCTV footage from the police station showed his father being brutally treated. The footage has not been independently verified.
An eyewitness, Sheikh Jahangir, also raised questions about Shah’s condition inside the police station.
“I had come to meet another accused. At around 6.30 pm, I saw Barjahan Shah lying inside the police station in a very weak condition. His physical condition appeared extremely poor. Everything will become clear once the CCTV footage is examined,” he reportedly said.
Wife Alleges Police Failed to Provide Treatment
Shah’s wife, Ajmira Bibi, alleged that she was not allowed to speak to her husband after being called to the police station.
She claimed that officials took her Aadhaar card and asked her to sign a document prepared by a clerk.
“My husband died before my eyes. I saw blood coming from his mouth and nose, but the police dismissed the matter as ‘drama’ instead of arranging proper treatment,” she alleged.
The family has called for the CCTV footage to be examined as part of the investigation into Shah’s death.
Protest Outside Dubrajpur Police Station
News of Shah’s death prompted his family and local residents to gather outside Dubrajpur police station and demand accountability.
Tensions reportedly escalated when his body was brought back from the hospital and police attempted to transport it in an ambulance. Villagers blocked the vehicle and staged a protest.
Some residents questioned the circumstances surrounding Shah’s death, arguing that allegations of theft should be dealt with through the legal process rather than mob violence or any alleged assault in custody.
Shah’s father-in-law, Mubarak Khan, lodged a written complaint at Dubrajpur police station naming six people and alleging that they had severely beaten Shah on suspicion of theft.
The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
Police Deny Custodial Assault Allegations
Police have denied allegations that Shah died as a result of assault in custody, describing the incident as a case of mob violence.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Bolpur) Abhishek Roy said Shah had entered a house in Jashpur village, although the reason for his entry remained under investigation.
“He was beaten by a mob on suspicion of being a thief. The police rescued him,” Roy told the media.
He also referred to previous allegations involving intoxication and minor offences against Shah, adding that other aspects of the case were being investigated.
The competing accounts of Shah’s death remain unresolved. The post-mortem findings, CCTV footage and the investigation into the complaint are expected to be important in establishing the circumstances leading to his death.
