Rehab centre worker arrested after resident beaten to death in Lilua, family alleges torture

Tension erupted in Jagdishpur area of Lilua on Sunday morning after a resident of a drug rehabilitation centre allegedly died following severe assault inside the facility. Police have arrested a worker of the centre in connection with the incident. The death triggered protests outside the rehabilitation centre, prompting a large police deployment from Lilua police station along with central forces to bring the situation under control.

The deceased has been identified as Madhav Sarkar, a resident of the Jhautala area of Anandnagar in Lilua. According to family members, Madhav had been admitted to the detoxification centre on March 23. His wife, Jhuma Sarkar, alleged that she had not been allowed to meet her husband or speak to him on the phone since the day he was admitted. Jhuma further claimed that she suddenly received a call on Sunday morning asking her to come to the centre with her Aadhaar card. She alleged that the same person who informed her about Madhav’s death was involved in the assault. According to the family, Madhav was beaten with a pipe and belt on Saturday night, which ultimately led to his death.

Residents inside the rehabilitation centre also reportedly raised alarm by shouting from the windows of a second-floor room, alleging that Madhav had been severely beaten for two days and deprived of food. They also claimed that several inmates were being subjected to torture and were not receiving proper medicines or meals. A senior officer of Howrah City Police said the accused worker has been detained and questioned, and a detailed investigation into the incident is underway.