Valmiki Jayanati turned out to be a dampener for Agra police as a Dalit youth suspected of stealing Rs 25 lakh died in police custody shortly after being taken to his home for recovering the booty in Jagdishpura police station area on Wednesday.

As the news of his death spread, hundreds of members of Valmiki community laid siege to the police station and staged a strong protest, accusing the cops of killing the victim by using third degree torture during interrogation.

The protest ended only after a case was registered against the police team and Senior Superintendent of Police of Agra G Muniraj suspended five cops, including an inspector, a sub-inspector and three constables. 

As per reports, victim Arun Kumar worked as a janitor and used to clean the premises of Jagdishpura police station. On October 17, a total of Rs 25 lakh and some confiscated pistols were found missing from the ‘malkhana’ of the police station. After the incident came to light, the SSP of Agra suspended six police officials, including the then station house officer (inspector).

However during the probe, the police zeroed in on Arun and during quizzing he reportedly confessed to stealing the money from the police station and stashing it at his home.

On Wednesday, a police team took the suspect to his house and while the cash was being recovered, Arun’s health deteriorated. The cops rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Soon after his death, members of Valmiki community gheraoed the police station, accusing the police of using extreme methods to exact a confession leading to Arun’s death. The community also declared to cancel Valmiki Jayanti celebrations on Wednesday to protest the custodial killing.

The agitators also demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore for Arun’s family. The victim's family alleged that the circumstances leading to Arun’s death needed to be investigated.

ADG, Agra Zone, Rajiv Krishna said, "Our officers are in contact with his family. They're cooperating. Action will be taken if there was any negligence. The family has filed a complaint; they suspect that he was beaten up by police following which he died. An FIR has been registered and the matter will be probed."