Custodial Death Sparks Protests in Agartala, Family Alleges Police Torture

Agartala: June 29: Tension gripped parts of Agartala on Sunday following the death of a 60-year-old prisoner, Kailash Roy, who was lodged at the Bishalgarh Central Correctional Facility. Originally a resident of Khejur Bagan under the NCC Police Station, Roy was declared dead after being taken to the Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital.
According to sources, Roy had been recently remanded to judicial custody in connection with a physical altercation. However, his sudden death has triggered a wave of allegations from his family, who claim he died due to custodial torture. Refusing to accept the body, the family has demanded that it be returned in the same condition in which he was taken into custody.
Following an extended wait at the hospital without any response from the family, police transported the body to the morgue at GBP Hospital in Agartala. A police official confirmed that Roy was declared dead upon arrival and added that the family had initially declined to come to the hospital despite being informed.
The incident has sparked protests in the Gurkhabasti area of Agartala, where locals staged a demonstration outside the NCC Police Station. Protesters alleged that police had failed to apprehend a young man, Manjoy Roy, and instead arrested his father, Kailash Roy. According to them, the police had promised to release Kailash if his son surrendered—a promise they claim was broken.
“This is injustice,” said one protester. “The police assured us they would release the father if the son surrendered. Now the father is dead.”
The family is demanding a fair investigation and justice for the deceased. The incident has intensified public outcry, with many calling for transparency and accountability in custodial procedures.