Violent protests erupt in Bihar’s Araria district after ‘custodial death’ of man, his minor wife

PTC Web Desk: In a violent outburst, angry villagers allegedly vandalised and set afire a police station in Tarabari village, Bihar’s Araria district, following the alleged suicide of a man and his minor wife in police custody.

As per reports, the man had recently married his 14-year-old sister-in-law, two days after his wife’s death, in violation of Indian laws that set the legal marriage age for women at 18.

The couple was detained by the police Thursday afternoon. Locals claimed the man and the minor girl died in custody due to police beatings. CCTV footage from the police lockup purportedly shows the man attempting to hang himself with a cloth from the lockup door.

As news of the couple’s death spread, enraged villagers gathered at the Tarabari police station and started pelting stones at police personnel. The mob then vandalised the police station and set it ablaze, leaving five police officials injured. 

Upon receiving reports of the incident, additional police forces, including Sadar SDPO Rampukar Singh, were sent to the scene. However, despite their presence, villagers continued their protest and raised slogans against the police. They accused them of negligence and brutality leading to the deaths. So far, police officials have refrained from commenting on the incident.