Patna: The Bagaha superintendent of police (SP) in West Champaran district on Friday initiated disciplinary action against the station house officer (SHO) of Bhitaha police station, a day after a resident died, allegedly, in police custody on Thursday.

SP Arvind Kumar Gupta said the Bhitaha police SHO Lalbabu Prasad has been put under suspension and departmental proceedings initiated against him for dereliction of duty. "The role of other police personnel is being verified," he said.

The action against the police official followed a public protest against the death of Ramakant Kushwaha on Wednesday night. The police had detained Ramakant, a resident of Rupauli Chowk under the jurisdiction of Bhitaha police outpost in West Champaran district, for interrogation in connection with a group clash.

According to Ramakant's relatives, the police tortured him in lock-up. As a result his condition deteriorated at night and he was taken to Padrauna hospital where he died. "He (Ramakant) died of police excesses," said Ravindra Kushwaha, a close relative.

Uday Bhan Kushwaha, who was injured in the group clash, is undergoing treatment at MJK Hospital in Bettiah, district headquarters of West Champaran. Uday was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon when he was sitting in his clinic - Kalawati Seva Sadan - at Rupauli Chowk. Ramakant was later arrested from his house in Rupauli village over the murderous attack on Uday.

Bagaha sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Sanjiv Kumar confirmed the SHO's suspension and said action against other cops would be taken on the basis of evidence. "I am going to submit a detailed report to the SP," he told The Telegraph over phone from Bagaha on Friday.

Last week, a similar case of custodial death had come to light in Kaimur district. Taking a strong note of the incident, deputy inspector-general (Shahabad range) Kumar Eklay removed all policemen from Bhagwanpur police station in Kaimur district.

The action came after Puran Chero allegedly died in police custody. Chero was picked up from his native Padari village under the jurisdiction of Bhagwanpur police station for interrogation in connection with seizure of country liquor. Chero was admitted to Varanasi hospital after his condition worsened, and finally died.

The death of Chero because of police atrocity led to public outcry, leading to suspension of the SHO and transfer of all policemen from Bhagwanpur police station.

The DIG initiated action on the basis of the report of the SDPO concerned.