Family stages highway blockade in Malda over death of prisoner Bhola Mandal in custody

A tense situation unfolded on Saturday night outside Ratua police station in West Bengal’s Malda district after a prisoner died while in judicial custody. Family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest by placing the body in front of the police station, alleging negligence on the part of the authorities.

The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Bhola Mandal, a resident of the Bhado Gram Panchayat area under Ratua police station. He had been arrested during the investigation of a murder case in which a businessman named Setabuddin was found critically injured in a mango orchard in the Bhado area on February 9 and later died in hospital. Police had arrested four individuals in connection with the case, including Mandal. According to family members, Mandal began experiencing chest pain and breathing difficulties on March 11 while in custody. The correctional home authorities shifted him to Malda Medical College and Hospital for treatment, where he was admitted under police supervision. He died early on Saturday while undergoing treatment.

After the body was handed over, relatives and local residents gathered outside Ratua police station and launched a protest, accusing the police of negligence. Scuffles reportedly broke out between protesters and police during the demonstration. Protesters also blocked National Highway 131 in front of the police station, disrupting traffic. Central forces were deployed to control the situation, which was eventually brought under control. Police have not issued an official statement on the incident so far.