Munda seeks report in suspected Maoist’s custodial death

RANCHI - Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda Thursday sought a report about the custodial death of a suspected Maoist in Dhanbad district.

“I have asked the home secretary to submit a report regarding the custodial death. Appropriate action will be taken based on the report,” Munda told reporters here Thursday.

Meanwhile, Dhanbad district administration Thursday ordered a magisterial probe into the case.

Dhirendra Singh, a suspected Maoist, was arrested Tuesday night. He was taken to Barbadda police station and interrogated at night. He was mysteriously found dead in the police station Wednesday morning.

Surendra Singh, the victim’s father, denied his son was a Maoist and alleged police torture caused his death.

Local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatatrik (JVM-P) in Dhanbad, some 240 km from here, expressed shock over the incident.