Assam: Custodial death in Morigaon jail sparks allegations of extortion by police officer

The death of Safikul Islam, a student of Rupohi College and resident of Goroimari, Kaliabor, who was lodged in Morigaon District Jail under the POCSO Act, has taken a fresh turn after his body was brought home following a post-mortem examination.

Safikul Islam, who was still under trial, died on September 16 inside Morigaon District Jail. The incident has triggered widespread concern, with the family of the deceased raising serious allegations against the police.

According to the family, the Officer-in-Charge of Lahorighat Police Station, Akash Das, in collusion with middlemen, had allegedly extorted money from them. The family claimed that Das initially collected Rs 25,000, followed by another Rs 18,000, amounting to Rs 43,000, and later demanded an additional ₹1.5 lakh.

Seeking justice, the bereaved family has appealed to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Morigaon Deputy Commissioner to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into the custodial death as well as the alleged extortion.