A man who was called to Amherst Street police station in connection with a stolen mobile phone which was reportedly in his possession, allegedly died inside the police station on Wednesday evening, triggering allegation of custodial death against the police.
Ashok Shaw, a resident of Patuatola in north Calcutta, was taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital after he became senseless in the police station and was declared dead by doctors.
Shaw, who used to run a tea stall, was a BJP activist and his death raised allegation of torture against the police.
“He was tortured inside the police station that caused his death. We demand a CBI inquiry into the matter,” alleged BJP leader Sajal Ghosh.
Police, however, refuted the charge. They said Shaw had fallen unconscious barely after he was asked a few questions.
“This relates to a general diary entry dated July 27 this year at Shyampukur police station where a missing report of a mobile phone was lodged. Today, around 5.05pm the monitoring cell of the north division called this person (Shaw) and asked him to deposit the phone at his local police station (Amherst Street),” said an officer in Lalbazar.
Shaw then reportedly called a local BJP leader who in turn contacted a sergeant at Amherst Street police station to inform that Shaw will go there to deposit the phone.
“According to the available CCTV footage, Shaw entered the police station at 5.43pm and stepped out within the next two minutes. But he entered again and made two calls to the BJP leader at 6.02pm and 6.05pm. An officer in the police station just started to ask him questions at 6.09pm when Shaw fell down,” said the officer.
Two minutes later, he was brought out of the police station and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital where he was declared dead.
A video captured through Facebook Live has emerged where a few women — apparently relatives or neighbours of Shaw — are seen inside the police station making allegations that the police had tortured Shaw to death. Shaw is seen lying on the floor, senseless. Cops and others are seen scooping him up and taking him out of the police station.
The police said the body would undergo a post-mortem on Thursday.
BJP leader Ghosh said they would lodge a formal complaint against the on-duty police officers.
“We have sent a team from the detective department, which will examine all CCTVs... we will examine all those, including members of the public, who were present that time. The post-mortem will be done under videography and will request post-mortem to be done by board of doctors,” said an officer at Lalbazar.
