Man Held Over Parbhani, Maharashtra Violence Dies in Judicial Custody
Man Held Over Parbhani, Maharashtra Violence Dies in Judicial Custody
Suryavanshi, a member of the Wadar community, a nomadic tribe, was apprehended on December 12 and subsequently placed in judicial custody on December 14.
A man arrested in connection with the recent violence in Parbhani, Maharashtra, died while in judicial custody, sparking controversy and demands for an inquiry. The individual was reportedly apprehended following the clashes that erupted in the district earlier this month. The circumstances leading to his death have raised concerns, with allegations of custodial mistreatment surfacing from his family and activists.
The deceased is identified as Somnath Suryavanshi, a laborer studying law, was among the 50 individuals apprehended by the Parbhani police following an outbreak of violence that ensued after the alleged defacement of a replica of the Indian Constitution situated outside the Parbhani railway station.
On December 10, it was reported that a replica of the Constitution was vandalized by an individual named Sopan Pawar. This incident led to protests and stone pelting the following day.
According to local reports, the deceased was detained as part of a crackdown on individuals suspected of involvement in the unrest. While initial medical reports suggested health complications, the exact cause of death remains unclear. Authorities stated that he had complained of unease and was shifted to a medical facility, where he later passed away.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the law enforcement agencies, with several groups calling for a transparent investigation into the custodial death. The victim’s family has alleged foul play, claiming he was in good health prior to his arrest. Activists have highlighted the need for strict adherence to human rights protocols, emphasizing that any violation must be met with accountability.
The Parbhani violence, which erupted over communal tensions, had led to widespread unrest, property damage, and several injuries. The police have since made multiple arrests to restore order, but this death has reignited tensions in the area. Protests demanding justice for the deceased have been organized by local groups, further complicating the already tense situation.
Maharashtra authorities have promised a thorough probe into the incident, assuring that no misconduct will be overlooked. The State Human Rights Commission has also been urged to take cognizance of the matter. As investigations proceed, this custodial death adds to the larger debate on police accountability and the treatment of detainees under judicial custody.
The case continues to unfold as residents and authorities grapple with restoring peace in Parbhani while addressing public concerns over justice and transparency.
Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, along with his brother Anandraj Ambedkar, the founder of Republican Sena, has brought attention to the matter and has issued threats of protests.
“Since his death happened in judicial custody, our lawyers will be urging the Court that the postmortem (CT scan, MRI, forensic and pathological) examination takes place in a government hospital which has a forensic department, and that the postmortem is filmed and undertaken by both the forensic and pathology department, “ tweeted Prakash.
