Ri-Bhoi gang leader allegedly hangs self in police custody

NONGPOH, April 26: In a startling turn of events, Rudra Rabha, the purported leader of a gang involved in various criminal activities, was found dead inside Khanapara police station on Friday. The incident follows his recent arrest in connection with a case involving multiple serious charges.
Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa issued a statement on Friday mentioning that Rabha was apprehended on Wednesday in connection with a case registered at Khanapara police station under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act.
He was produced before the court on April 25 and was remanded in police custody for five days.
During interrogation, Rabha allegedly confessed to concealing a country-made firearm in a nearby forest. In a bid to assist the authorities, he offered to lead them to the location of the hidden weapon. Accompanied by Rabha, law enforcement officials successfully recovered the firearm from the Ranibari jungle area, corroborated by an independent witness.
Following the seizure of the firearm and completion of legal procedures at the scene, Rabha was returned to Khanapara PS and kept in the lock-up as there is no lock-up in Rani Jirang BOP.
However, in the early hours of April 26, the sentry on duty found that Rabha had died by suicide inside the male lock-up of the police station by hanging himself from the bars, using a makeshift cloth ligature believed to have been fashioned from a blanket sheet provided to him.
Responding to the incident, the Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner appointed an Executive Magistrate to conduct an inquest in the presence of a medical officer and to ensure proper documentation through videography and photography.
Meanwhile, authorities have initiated an investigation in the death case.