Lakshmeshwar: An angry mob vandalized the police station and set police vehicles on fire in Gadag district on Sunday after a person died who was held on charge of sand extraction and was in police custody.   

The deceased who has been identified as Shivanand Ganiger (21) was a resident of the Battur village in Shirahatti Taluk and worked a driver of a private lorry. Shivanand’s father claimed he was transporting sand to Hubbali when the Lakshmeshwar police intercepted  him between Samshi and Pashupathihal of Dharwad district. The family claims that Shivanand was beaten brutally by the police and by the time they admitted him to the hospital he had succumbed to his injuries. They brought the body to the police station and began a protest accusing them of police brutality. The relatives also mainly accused Lakshmeshwara Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Devanand S and his team. Although PSI Devanand claims to be not involved in the incident and having no interaction with the deceased.

Superintendent of Police Santhoshbabu K, ruled out custodial death and  admitted that there was some confusion over the incident.

During the protests some miscreants entered the station and ransacked it while others set things on fire. They also did not let the firefighters to put out the numerous fires.

A murder case has been registered and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will handle the investigation said the senior police officials.  

Lakshmeshwara police have also called for additional forces to ensure that the tension does not escalate.

A case has also been registered regarding the police station arson.