The death of a 22-year-old Dalit man under suspicious circumstances inside a police station in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns over police conduct and safety in custody.
The deceased, Ram Vishal Ahirwar, a resident of Naharpur, reportedly consumed poison inside the Chandla police station while he was there with his wife for a domestic dispute settlement.
According to police, his health suddenly deteriorated during discussions between the two families. Witnesses said he began vomiting, and a suspicious substance believed to be poison was later found in his pocket. However, it remains unclear when and how he consumed it.
He was rushed first to a local hospital and later to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His wife claimed he died in her lap on the way.
Wife alleges lack of basic care
Ahirwar’s wife, Leela, alleged that her husband kept asking for water during the journey but was not given any.
“He was in pain and kept asking for water, but no one gave it,” she said, adding that she lost consciousness during the ordeal.
Police officials, however, stated that giving water in suspected poisoning cases is not always medically advised, a claim that has triggered debate over whether proper first aid protocols were followed.
Family alleges custodial violence
The deceased’s mother, Mulia Ahirwar, made serious allegations against the police, claiming her son was brutally beaten inside the station.
“They beat him badly. We could hear his screams. When I tried to intervene, I was pushed away,” she alleged.
The family has accused the police of trying to cover up custodial violence by portraying the incident as a suicide.
Police action and probe ordered
Taking serious note of the incident, Superintendent of Police Agam Jain suspended Chandla police station in-charge Sandeep Dixit and ordered a judicial inquiry.
Senior officials, including ASP Aditya Patle, visited the hospital to assess the situation.
Background of dispute
Police said Ram Vishal and his wife had ongoing marital issues. The couple, married for two years and parents to a three-month-old child, had been living separately due to frequent disputes.
Leela alleged that her husband was addicted to alcohol and often assaulted her, which led her to return to her parental home. Both parties were called to the police station for reconciliation when the incident occurred.
