CBI offers Rs 2 lakh reward on two absconding MP cops

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has declared a reward of Rs two lakh each for information on fugitive Madhya Pradesh police officers, Sanjit Singh Mavai and Uttam Singh Kushwaha, in connection with the custodial death of Deva Pardhi at the Myana police station in Guna, officials said on Wednesday.The reward is offered for credible information regarding Mavai, who was serving as town inspector, and Kushwaha, who was an assistant sub inspector at the time of the incident, they added.
Pardhi had been detained on theft charges and died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. The CBI has already arrested and filed a chargesheet against Sub Inspector Devraj Singh Parihar, Town Inspector Zubair Khan and a private individual related to the case. However, the two accused police officers are currently absconding. Non-Bailable Warrants of arrest have been issued against them and both the absconding accused were also declared ‘Proclaimed Offenders’. 
Meanwhile, as per new agency report, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court chided the CBI for not arresting the absconding police officials in the youth’s custodial death in Madhya Pradesh and warned of contempt action. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan was hearing a contempt plea filed by the mother of the 24-year-old victim, alleging non-compliance with a previous order issued on May 15 that transferred the investigation from the Madhya Pradesh Police to the CBI. The bench directed the CBI to arrest the two accused policemen within a month while cautioning the agency that it would not be spared if anything happened to the victim’s uncle, who was the sole eyewitness in the case and currently in judicial custody. The bench emphasised the need for Gangaram’s safety, stating it does not want a repeat of a custodial death.
The incident dates back to July 15, 2024, when Deva, a resident of Bilakhedi, was taken into custody by Myana police along with his uncle Gangaram. Police claimed they were questioning him in connection with a theft case. The following day, his family was informed that his body was lying in the post-mortem room of Guna district hospital. Allegations of custodial torture quickly surfaced, sparking widespread protests by the Pardi community. Community women staged demonstrations outside the Collectorate demanding justice.

(Freelance Journalist)