The Office of the Chief Attorney of Province 2 has recommended that the provincial police suspend the police officials involved in meting out torture to Bijay Mahara and his subsequent death at the hospital.

The 19-year-old, who was also called Bijay Ram, from Garuda Municipality in Rautahat died on August 26 midnight while undergoing treatment at National Medical College, Birgunj.

Dipendra Jha, the chief attorney for Province, has recommended a fair investigation into the case and action against the guilty as per the existing Act.

Mahara, a Dalit youth, was arrested by the Area Police Office, Garuda, on August 16 in connection with a murder case.

Though the police have claimed he died in course of treatment for a kidney ailment, his family and local human rights activists have accused police of torturing him in custody.

They have accused Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Kumar Mahato, chief of Garuda Area Police, of resorting to excessive torture to force him to admit to his involement in the murder of Niranjan Ram, a local from Garuda, who was killed by slitting of the throat on August 15.

“We have recommended a fair investigation after suspending the police officials in question,” Jha told the Post.

Mahato has already been transferred to the provincial police office.

According to Indra Dev Yadav, chief district officer of Rautahat, a team of three officials led by an under-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs has launched an investigation into the case. The team comprises a superintendent of police and district chief of the National Intelligence Department.

“The team has been asked to complete its fact-finding work in 15 days,” Yadav, chief district officer, told the Post. “Further action will be taken based on the team’s recommendations.”

According to Province 2 Chief Attorney Jha, the provincial government has provided Rs500,000 as immediate relief to Bijay’s family.