Accused in Child Kidnapping and Murder Case Found Dead in Ranchi Police Lockup

Ranchi: A 45-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old boy was found dead inside the Namkum police station lockup in Ranchi on Thursday, in what police believe was a case of suicide.

The deceased, Jagay Munda of Khunti district, had been taken into custody on March 4 following his alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of a minor boy in the Namkum police station area. He was scheduled to appear before a court on Thursday for remand proceedings when the incident was discovered.

Police said Munda used a bedsheet provided to him in the lockup to hang himself during the night. The matter came to light on Thursday afternoon, prompting senior police officials to rush to the station. The body was subsequently removed from the lockup under magisterial supervision and dispatched to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for an autopsy, which will be conducted under a magistrate's watch and recorded on video to ensure full transparency, said Superintendent of Police (Rural) Praveen Pushkar.

Investigations reveal that Munda had allegedly lured the young boy — the son of a woman with whom he reportedly shared a personal relationship — before transporting him to the Ramgarh area, where he allegedly killed him and concealed the body. Police believe the motive was rooted in personal animosity, triggered by the woman's relationship with another man.

A case had already been registered under relevant provisions related to kidnapping and murder at Namkum police station.

The in-custody death has prompted sharp questions over the adequacy of security and monitoring inside the lockup. Authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death, while the police department has also initiated an internal review to determine if any negligence was involved.

With inputs from IANS