NCP demands probe into custodial death

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded an independent probe into the custodial death of Ahmednagar party leader, Kailas Girvale. NCP’s Nawab Malik has even alleged that the death was caused by torture and pressure at the hands of Shiv Sena leader and home minister of state, Dipak Kesarkar.  

Mr Girvale was arrested on April 8 by Ahmednagar police. Mr Malik claimed that although the police arrested MLA Sangram Jagtap, the latter was not involved in the murders of two of Sena’s local leaders. Mr Girvale was in police custody and wasn’t produced before the magistrate. Notwithstanding, the police claimed that he was in judicial custody when he died.

Mr Malik alleged that police inspector Dilip Pawar, Devidas Kardile, and constable Kale were responsible for Mr Girvale’s death. Mr Malik said that Mr Girvale had undergone surgery prior to being arrested and after arrest, the police beat him which resulted in his death. Mr Malik threatened to protest if the government did not order an inquiry into Mr Girvale’s death.

Meanwhile, Mr Malik also said that the CM’s claims about an open defecation-free (ODF) Maharashtra were false and that the government was running an advertising campaign.   Mr Malik asked the CM to visit a few places in Mumbai before claiming that the state was  ODF.