Pocso case accused dies by suicide in Renjal police station

NIZAMABAD: The accused in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) case, Ratnavat Redya Naik, died by suicide at Renjal Police Station last Thursday. Initial attempts by the police to hide the incident were thwarted when the post-mortem report revealed the truth. In response, police commissioner Ch. Sindhu Sharma has ordered a departmental inquiry, led by Toopran DSP Venkat Reddy.

On December 12, Redya Naik of Veerannagutta thanda in Renjal mandal allegedly misbehaved with a seven-year-old girl. Following the incident, the girl’s family members assaulted Naik. Concerned villagers dialed 100, leading to Redya Naik’s arrest. He was subsequently transferred to Government General Hospital in Nizamabad, where doctors treated minor head injuries with four stitches before discharging him.

After his discharge from the hospital, Renjal police detained Redya Naik at the police station’s lock-up. Overwhelmed by the events, Naik attempted suicide. Despite police efforts to persuade him, he did not relent. Naik sustained severe injuries after his attempt. He was rushed to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, where it was confirmed that his leg and hand were broken. Redya Naik is survived by his wife and two children.

The suicide was captured through CCTV camera links connected to the Nizamabad Police Commissionerate, bringing the incident to light. An inquiry conducted by Toopran DSP Venkat Reddy led to the suspension of police constable Prasad on Thursday.

Family members of the deceased alleged that the Renjal police tried to hide the suicide to avoid accusations of negligence. They contended that if Naik had been remanded after receiving medical treatment, he might have survived. Additionally, Renjal police have registered a case against 13 individuals for their involvement in the initial attack on Redya Naik.

The district authorities are now under scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability in handling such sensitive cases.