Custodial Death in Bihar Prompts Suspension of Falka SHO and IO

Overview

• Rakesh Kumar Yadav, 24, was found unresponsive in the Falka police lockup overnight Friday to Saturday in Katihar, with police saying he hanged himself.
• Officers say they rushed him to the Falka Primary Health Centre, where doctors referred him to Sadar Hospital in Katihar, and he died in transit.
• Relatives allege he was beaten in custody and dispute the arrest timeline, saying police picked him up Thursday though officers cite a Friday night raid in a bike-theft case.
• After word of the death spread Saturday, residents blocked a highway, chased and beat police, stormed the station, and briefly seized a service rifle that police later recovered.
• Katihar SP Shikhar Chaudhary suspended SHO Ravi Kumar Rai and IO Kundan Patel and ordered a probe, while a widely shared video linked to the case remains unverified.