Manik Sarkar, former Tripura chief minister and now leader of the Opposition, on Monday sought a judicial inquiry into the death of Sushanta Ghosh, an ATM-hacking accused who died in police custody at West Agartala police station in West Tripura district in the wee hours on Sunday.

After visiting the house of Ghosh, Sarkar said at least the government should conduct a judicial inquiry.

“People of the village are demanding a CBI inquiry. However, the government should at least conduct a judicial inquiry. A magisterial inquiry will not be enough and people will question the government. Last year, in another case, a magisterial inquiry was conducted, but the family of the deceased and others don’t know the reason of the death till date,” he said.

Sarkar held the police responsible for Ghosh’s death. He said because of such incidents, people were losing faith in the police. Sushanta Ghosh died in police lock-up and now it is their duty to answer how that happened. Such incidents prove that the law and order has totally collapsed. The people are losing faith in the government and the police.”

He said officers behind Ghosh’s death should be immediately removed from their posts to ensure a fair inquiry.