Kendrapara, Nov. 14: Police have issued an arrest warrant against a man, who had died 15 years ago, and took an innocent person into custody on charge of the offence committed by the deceased!

The police arrested Basant Sahu mistaking him as Sushant Sahu. Sushant had committed a crime in 1997 for which he faced trial. He died during the trial in 1999.

Yesterday, Basant Sahu of Santasahi was taken into custody with a non-bailable warrant against him. Sushant lived at Madhiala market. The policemen, who did the faux pas, find themselves on a sticky wicket with the wrongfully confined victim deciding to take recourse to law.

Basant was brought to the police station by constables on the direction of Kendrapara police station inspector. However, Basant was later released, the police said.

Inspector Pramod Kumar Lenka said: “The matter is being investigated. The policemen involved in the slip-up will face disciplinary action.”

Basant, a trader, is planning to sue the police officials for wrongfully branding him as an offender and confining him in custody.

“It was a traumatising experience for me. The police kept me in the lockup. I was innocent. I did not break the law. We tried to convince them that I am not the man they were looking for. But, they refused to pay heed. I have consulted lawyers. I will file cases against the negligent policemen,” said Basant.