Jamui jail inmates went on an indefinite strike on Sunday alleging the police subjected one Munna Singh to third- degree torture to “ascertain the whereabouts of a kidnapped trader”.

Munna is accused of hatching a conspiracy to kidnap a garments merchant, Baikunth Barnawal, from Navinagar under Town police station in Jamui on May 5. A source said Munna surrendered after the police carried out raids in Jamui. Munna was taken on two-day remand for interrogation on June 20.

Munna’s relatives alleged that police officers poured petrol and chilli powder in his private parts to extract information about the kidnap. They also submitted a petition in court seeking action against the erring officers on Friday. “Munna was subjected to third-degree torture by the police in the course of interrogation,” the petition stated.

Jamui superintendent of police Deepak Barnawal said the role of the station house officers of Town and Giddhaur police stations in the alleged torture was being probed.