Investigation Committee Submits Report on Shree Krishna Bik's Death in Custody

Kathmandu. An investigation committee has submitted its report on the death of Shree Krishna Bik, who was held in the custody of the Area Police Office in Khurkot, Sindhuli. The committee, led by DIG Dinesh Acharya of the National Police Training Academy, submitted the report to IGP Dan Bahadur Karki. Police spokesperson (DIG) Avin Narayan Kafle told Ratopati that the committee submitted the report on Baisakh 29 and it has been sent to the Home Ministry. He said, 'The committee has investigated the incident and submitted facts and recommendations.' Shree Krishna Bik, 23, a local of Jumalidanda in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-3, Sindhuli, was sent to Sindhuli by a team dispatched from Police Station Satdobato on Baisakh 3. The police claim that on Baisakh 7, at 5:59 PM, Shree Krishna hanged himself with his shirt in the custody toilet at the Area Police Office Khurkot. However, National Independent Party MP Khagendra Sunar and others have claimed that Bik's death in custody was suspicious. The investigation committee has submitted a report concluding that Shree Krishna's death occurred by hanging. According to a member of the committee, there were no injuries on the deceased's body. MP Sunar had publicly claimed that Bik's body had bruises. The deceased's body was autopsied at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. A member of the investigation committee said that four doctors were involved in the post-mortem and the post-mortem report did not indicate any beatings or bruises. That member said, 'The post-mortem report also states that the death was due to hanging.' The investigation committee has recommended action against the Inspector of Area Police Office Khurkot, Basanta Bhujel, and the police personnel on duty in the custody cell on the day of the incident. A member of the committee said, 'We have recommended departmental action against the inspector and two others.' The investigation committee, formed on Baisakh 11, included SP Rabindranath Poudel, Inspector Indrajit Sunar working in CIB, Inspector Prem Regmi of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, and Sub-Inspector (SAI) Rajeshwar Sapkota. The committee was asked to submit its report within 7 days, but officials say the investigation was prolonged due to delays in the post-mortem report. The committee has given long suggestions to the Police Headquarters on controlling incidents of death by hanging in custody. A source from the investigation committee said that suggestions have been given regarding the protection of human rights and fundamental rights in custody. A member of the investigation committee told Ratopati that suggestions have been given to strengthen security arrangements as the responsibility for the safety of service recipients and detainees within police units lies with the in-charge. After Shree Krishna was found hanging, the police first took him to Sunkoshi Community Hospital and then to the District Hospital in Sindhuli.