A man committed suicide at a police station in Chhattisgarh, locals destroy property

A man allegedly committed suicide at a police station in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district. The death of Guru Charan Mandal, whose wife went missing on September 29, has sparked allegations of police brutality.

Guru Charan Mandal and his father were called to the police station for questioning in connection with his wife’s disappearance. According to a police official, Mandal went to the toilet with a gamcha (traditional cloth) around his neck but did not return. He was later found dead in the bathroom under unclear circumstances.

Following the discovery, Mandal’s family accused police of physical abuse, claiming it led him to take his own life. His father, Shiv Charan Mondal, told the media, “In the last 20 days, my daughter-in-law has gone missing and my son and I have been in custody for the past three days. The police beat us mercilessly. When my son faced further threats, he couldn’t take it anymore. I lost my son to Balrampur police.”

The news of Mandal’s death sparked outrage among local residents. A crowd gathered in front of the police station, venting their anger through violent protests. They damaged the police station and vehicles. The situation quickly deteriorated and protesters broke windows and doors, prompting police to use tear gas and baton charges to restore order.

Congress leaders criticized the ruling BJP government for allegedly failing to maintain law and order. Opposition members demanded the resignation of the state’s interior minister and an immediate, thorough investigation to ensure accountability.

Balrampur Additional Superintendent of Police Shailesh Pandey commented on the incident, saying, “The woman went missing on September 29, 2024, and her husband (victim) and father-in-law came to the police station to file a report. . He went to the toilet with a gamcha around his neck and did not come back. We informed the SP and IG about the incident. Whoever is responsible for this will be held accountable.”

The police official urged the public to maintain law and order.