Custodial death at Singtam; judicial probe ordered

ISABELLA GURUNG

NDPS accused found dead in police lock-up; three personnel suspended while independent inquiries and forensic investigation continue.

GANGTOK,: A person arrested in connection with a narcotics case died in police custody at Singtam Police Station on Wednesday morning, prompting a judicial inquiry, a criminal investigation and the suspension of three police personnel, Gangtok District Police said.

In a press note issued on Wednesday, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gangtok District, said the deceased was in the custody of Singtam Police Station in connection with Singtam Police Station FIR No. 27(07)2026, dated July 24, 2026, registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and the Sikkim Anti Drugs Act, 2006.

According to the police, the deceased had been remanded to police custody by the competent court from July 25 to July 29. He was found dead inside the police lock up during the early hours of July 29.

The police stated that the deceased's family had been personally informed by a senior officer and was allowed to see the body. Gangtok District Police also expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

The press note said that to ensure complete transparency, the scene of occurrence was immediately cordoned off and all proceedings, including the inquest, scene examination, collection of forensic evidence and seizure of custody records, were conducted in the presence of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gangtok, the SDM of Rabdang, family members of the deceased, independent witnesses, the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) team, the Crime Branch/CID photography team and a medico legal expert from Singtam District Hospital.

Police further informed that the entire process, from securing the scene to completion of the inquest, was fully videographed and photographed, with the recordings preserved as part of the case records.

The district police said several statutory and institutional actions had been initiated following the custodial death.

An inquest under Section 194 of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, has already been conducted by the SDM, Rabdang, in the presence of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the deceased's family, independent witnesses, the SFSL forensic team, Crime Branch/CID personnel and the medico legal expert.

A Judicial Magisterial Inquiry under Section 196(2) of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, has also been ordered and is being carried out under the supervision of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gangtok. The police clarified that this inquiry is independent of the Police Department.

Gangtok District Police further stated that the National Human Rights Commission had been informed of the incident within the mandatory 24 hour period prescribed under its guidelines dated December 14, 1993. The State Human Rights Commission has also been informed.

The post mortem examination is being conducted by a board of doctors under full videography in compliance with NHRC guidelines and the directions of the Supreme Court in the D.K. Basu vs State of West Bengal case, (1997) 1 SCC 416.

The police said the scene had been scientifically examined by the SFSL, while the Crime Branch/CID carried out detailed photography, videography and documentation. All electronic records, CCTV footage, custody registers and lock up records have been seized and preserved for investigation.

An Unnatural Death case, numbered UD Case No. 25(07)2026 dated July 29, has been registered at Singtam Police Station under the relevant provisions of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The investigation is under way under an officer independent of the officers previously handling the base case.

The Police department has also initiated an internal inquiry. Three police personnel who were on night lock up duty at the relevant time have been placed under suspension pending the outcome of the departmental inquiry. The police clarified that this action is independent of both the ongoing judicial inquiry and the criminal investigation.

Reiterating its commitment to accountability, Gangtok District Police said it would ensure a fair, transparent and impartial inquiry. It stated that any lapse, misconduct or criminal act established during the judicial inquiry, criminal investigation or departmental proceedings would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

The police also appealed to the media and the public to respect the privacy of the deceased's family, refrain from speculation regarding the cause of death until the inquiry is completed, and avoid publishing the deceased's photograph or personal details without the family's consent.