Dalit boy, charged with theft of pigeon, found dead in Haryana allegedly in police custody

Gohana, Haryana: Just three days after two Dalit children were burnt alive in a village in Haryana, a 15-year-old Dalit boy was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Gohana town on Thursday.

According to the police, the teen was found dead at his home. His family, though, has alleged that he died in police custody.

Some members of the 'Gadia lohar' (ironsmith) community had on Wednesday approached the Sonepat police, charging the boy with the theft of a pigeon and demanded appropriate action against him, Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Abhishek Garg said.

On Thursday, the boy's family clashed with the police and placed his body on the road demanding action against the "erring cops".

There was heavy deployment of police in the area to control the situation.

"According to preliminary investigations in the case, the boy was found dead at his home today. There was a mark around his neck. A post-mortem examination is underway and once its report comes, we can arrive at any conclusion how he died," Garg said on Thursday.

Responding to allegations that he died in police custody, the police officer said, "We have registered a case and will add appropriate sections after the post-mortem report comes. As far as his family's allegations are concerned, we will take appropriate action if any such thing is found true during our investigations."