Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – An accused in a case of robbery of a cattle trader was found dead in prison under mysterious circumstances in Bihar’s Kishanganj District on Monday. What adds to the layer of uncertainty surrounding the death of the accused, Hasibul Haq, is his family raising questions over the prison conditions and alleging physical abuse.
The alleged robbery took place near Kishanganj’s Pothia police station. Hasibul Haq, a 30-year-old resident of Gorukhal Panchayat in Milikbasti village’s Ward 07, and three others were accused of waylaying cattle trader Faizan Alam on December 17 and looting ₹5.95 lakh from him at gunpoint. Alam was reportedly returning on a bike from Rajganj after his business dealings when he was attacked by the four in the Panbada Dogi area of Pothia, Bihar. When Alam protested, the assailants reportedly struck him with the butt of their weapon before fleeing the scene.
On December 20, the police arrested three individuals involved in the robbery of the cattle trader. However, one of the accused, Hasibul Haq, was reportedly beaten in jail, resulting in serious injuries. The prison administration transferred him to Kishanganj Sadar Hospital, and he was later referred to Bhagalpur for further treatment.
When his condition failed to improve, he was taken to Patna, where he passed away. His body has been returned to Kishanganj Sadar Hospital for a postmortem examination, media reports said on Tuesday.
The family of Hasibul Haq has appealed to the Human Rights Commission, citing inhumane treatment in custody. They claim Hasibul was subjected to severe physical abuse, leading to his death. The family has also submitted an application to Superintendent of Police Sagar Kumar, requesting an impartial investigation into the incident.
District Magistrate Vishal Raj has said that all legal procedures will be followed. “Whatever legal procedure is there in the matter, it will be followed. If any complaint is lodged, the investigation will be done,” media reports quoted him as saying.
