CBI suspends four after custodial death

CBI has suspended four personnel following the custodial death of Lalan Sheikh last month. An inspector, two constables and a DSP-rank officer were suspended and the agency has initiated an inter-departmental probe. West Bengal's CID is also probing Sheikh's death.

"The officials were suspended following a primary departmental investigation. There was no CCTV camera in the room at the guest house where Sheikh was held in custody during interrogation. There were other lapses as well. The four have been suspended for alleged negligence," a CBI insider said.

Lalan Sheikh, a prime accused in the Bogtui massacre, was found hanging in the washroom of a guest house at Rampurhat, where CBI had set up a temporary camp office, on December 12. He was arrested on December 3 from Jharkhand, after a 9-month search. At least 10 people, including women and children, were killed in Bogtui on March 21 last year. The violence was triggered by the murder of Trinamool deputy panchayat head Bhadu Sheikh.