Boy Dies After Alleged Police Torture in Jaipur

A judicial inquiry has been initiated into the death of Rituraj Lohar, a 16-year-old from Madhya Pradesh. His family alleges he was subjected to torture and illegal detention by personnel from Jaipur's Muhana police station. Rituraj became critically ill allegedly in police custody and passed away early Monday morning.

The family, now back in their native village near Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, has insisted on a judicial inquiry and a medical board post-mortem before accepting Rituraj's body. The Jaipur Police Commissionerate is conducting two separate investigations into the matter.

One probe is led by ACP Hemendra Kumar Sharma concerning the alleged involvement of the Muhana police. Simultaneously, the Narayan Vihar station house officer is investigating an FIR filed by Rituraj's mother, which names three individuals and two unidentified men, though not explicitly police officers.

Rituraj's mother claims her son suffered severe beatings, leading to fractures and serious injuries. She stated he was taken from the airport by plainclothes policemen to a hotel where the alleged torture occurred. Local police, however, suggest a dispute over a gold transaction led to the father and son being assaulted by individuals they had dealings with.

Initially treated for a suspected snakebite at a private hospital, Rituraj later developed critical conditions, including swelling and visible injury marks inconsistent with a snakebite. Despite extensive specialist treatment at SMS Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The State Human Rights Commission has also intervened, ordering the preservation of CCTV footage and an independent review of the incident.