Madhya Pradesh: Suspect in theft case dies in police custody; four cops suspended
Bhopal/Khandwa, (PTI): A man brought in for questioning for a motorcycle theft died hours after being detained, prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to suspend four personnel of a police station in Khandwa district, an official said on Tuesday.
Kishan Mankar, a resident of Gogawa Nipani village, died around 2 pm in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in police custody at Omkareshwar police station in Khandwa district, the official said.
Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said Kishan, along with his brother and other accomplices, was brought to the police station in connection with the theft of a motorcycle.
To ensure a fair investigation, I have directed that the station in-charge (Omkareshwar police station), an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and two constables be suspended, the minister said, adding that a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.
The deceased man's brother has claimed that he suffered from a respiratory disease, but the real cause of death will be known once the post-mortem report is out, Mishra said.
Khandwa's Superintendent of Police Vivek Singh rushed to Omkareshwar following the incident and said a probe has been initiated to find out the circumstances of the death.
According to police sources, Mankar was brought to the police station for interrogation about a motorcycle theft on Monday, and he complained of uneasiness around midnight, following which he was taken to a hospital where he died.
Last week, a 35-year-old tribal man died in police custody in neighbouring Khargone district, prompting the state government to suspend five policemen and transfer the superintendent of police of the district.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
