Vadodara: An accused committed suicide inside the toilet of the lock-up at Panigate Police Station in Vadodara by hanging himself with the drawstring of his hoodie tied to a window. Police shifted the body to Sayaji Hospital for a panel post-mortem, while the deceased’s sister alleged that her brother was beaten by the police in custody and died due to that.

As per the police, the deceased, identified as Ramesh Vasava, a resident of a WUDA housing society in Jivannagar, was detained on Monday, January 20, following an application by his wife alleging a domestic dispute and assault. Action was initiated under the relevant sections of the BNS, the police inspector said. Panigate police have started an investigation into the incident.

According to police, four accused were lodged in the lock-up early on Tuesday, January 21. Ramesh woke up around 6 am and went to the toilet. He reportedly tied the hoodie drawstring to a window and hanged himself. Another accused noticed him hanging and raised an alarm, following which the PSO informed senior officers. ACP and DCP officials rushed to the spot.

DCP Abhishek Gupta said Ramesh Vasava had been detained the previous evening based on an application and was lodged in the lock-up along with three others. “In the early hours, between 6 and 6.15 am, he went to the lock-up washroom and hanged himself using the drawstring of the hoodie he was wearing,” the DCP said.

He added that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and ACP were immediately informed. The panchnama is being conducted in the presence of the SDM, followed by a panel post-mortem. The entire process will be videographed, and CCTV footage from the lock-up will be examined as part of the investigation. “If there are any injury marks, they will come out during the post-mortem and inquiry,” the DCP said, rejecting allegations of custodial assault at this stage.

Police said final conclusions will be drawn only after the post-mortem report, CCTV analysis, and completion of all legal procedures. The investigation is currently underway. DeshGujarat