A magisterial probe was ordered on Wednesday after a youth died in Police custody in the Border Police Post (BPP) Chakroi of R S Pura in Jammu, where he was called for questioning in a complaint.
After the family and relatives of the deceased youth, identified as Uttam Chand, held a protest demonstration seeking impartial probe into the incident and action against the guilty Police officials, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Headquarters Anna Sinha maintained that a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the custodial death and full justice would be served to the bereaved family as no guilty would be spared.
“Before completion of the inquiry, we cannot term anyone accused or guilty. We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death. The statements of the victim’s family, witnesses will be recorded during the investigation. After culmination inquiry, whosoever found guilty whether from Police or the other side, will be punished as per established procedure of law,” SP Sinha asserted, while responding to media queries.
She stated that she along with senior Police officers had come to meet the family which lost its son and assure it that full justice would be served to them.
Protesting locals stated that the youth (deceased) was taken into Police custody after he confronted a person, who allegedly tried to molest his (deceased’s) sister on September 8, 2026.
However, the Police maintained that the (deceased) youth was called for questioning in a case of physical scuffle while the runaway accused in an alleged molestation case was arrested on Wednesday.
Earlier during the day, the Police in its brief statement said that on September 9, 2026, Uttam Chand of Rakh, Chakroi was called for questioning at BPP Chakroi on a complaint.
“He suddenly became unconscious and was admitted to SDH R S Pura, then referred to GMC Jammu, where he died during treatment,” Police said.
After receiving the news of his death, the deceased’s family, relatives joined by inhabitants of the area held a dharna at Chakroi Chowk, raising slogans against the Police. They demanded dismissal of the Chowki (Police Post) in-charge and other (Police) personnel responsible for the incident.
Seeking an independent probe, they also demanded a government job for the Next of Kin of the deceased youth and a compensation of Rs 1 Cr for the aggrieved family.
With regard to demands for an SPO’s job to a member of the deceased youth’s family and compensation, SP Sinha said, “These demands do not pertain to me. But they will be taken up with the higher authorities after completion of inquiry.”
Local MLA Gharu Ram, MLA and former minister Sham Lal Sharma, former Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area along with the locals joined the protesting family and relatives.
The protesters took exception to the Police claim that the deceased was in an inebriated condition and was not able to properly walk even when he was brought in to the Police Post; his medical test was conducted yet he died during treatment.
“Why was the family not intimated about his condition if he was so critical? They got to know about his death in the morning not from the Police but from some other source,” one of the protesters posed a query to SP Sinha.
“Yesterday an attempt to rape was made on a girl but instead of taking action against the accused, her brother (deceased) was taken into custody,” the protesters alleged.
SP headquarters Anna Sinha, while trying to pacify the protesting family and relatives of the deceased, stated that the Police Post Chakroi incharge and all other police personnel deployed there were removed with immediate effect.
Asserting that she could well understand the pain of mother (of the deceased), she assured that a committee to probe into the death of Uttam Chand in Police custody, would be constituted.
“A request for holding a magisterial enquiry has already been sent to the Deputy Commissioner. Proper departmental action would be taken against the officers found guilty in the probe. Rest assured that no guilty will be spared. If people face some problem, they suffer on any account, Police share their problem and try everything to resolve it. The person, who had molested the girl, too has been arrested. Action will be taken against him,” she maintained.
“The person concerned (deceased) was in inebriated condition and was not able to walk even properly, when he was brought in the Police Chowki. He was immediately taken up for medical check-up by the Police officer, without any delay. During the medical check-up, he was given CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation). Despite CPR, he was in such an inebriated condition that his oxygen saturation level had reached 52 percent. He was taken for medical check-up for the second time and again given CPR. Yet he could not be saved and he collapsed,” SP Sinha stated.
She, however, assured the protesting family and others that all desired legal actions in the case, as were being demanded, would be taken.
“We will also enquire into the public complaints of irregularities in the functioning of the Police Post and action will be taken,” she said.
With regard to molestation case, SP Sinha clarified that after the complainant approached the Police alleging attempt to rape, the wrongdoer, who had fled after the incident, was arrested.
“Since morning, the Police team was after him as he fled to escape arrest. Just minutes ago, he was arrested. He too will be taken to task as per law. None will be spared. From whichever side, any wrong has been committed, be it Police, proper legal action will be taken after enquiring into all aspects. CCTV footage will be scrutinised. Post-mortem will be conducted. The Medical Board, comprising 5-6 doctors, will be constituted for the purpose. I assure that the Police will ensure full transparency in this case,” SP Anna Sinha reaffirmed.
