Bengal teacher's second autopsy done; mob blocks national highway

Siliguri, July 23 (IANS) A fresh autopsy of a West Bengal school teacher who died in judicial custody in Uttar Pradesh was conducted Wednesday, as demonstrators carrying his body blocked the national highway and fought pitched battles with police in Darjeeling district.

Trouble broke out for the second day Wednesday night, as a mob put up road blocks on national highway 34 at Bihar More in Bagdogra.

The fresh disturbances started after police handed over the body of Ganesh Chowdhury to his family members after the second autopsy.

Claiming Chowdhury was killed in judicial custody in Uttar Pradesh, the demonstrators demanded a proper investigation and the opening of a murder case. They also demanded "exemplary punishment" to those responsible for his death.

The demonstrators pelted stones and fought pitched battle with police when the authorities tried to remove the road blockades.

"We were attacked by the mob. So, we were forced to baton-charge the demonstrators," said Siliguri Deputy Commissioner of Police O.G. Pal.

Earlier, a few hundred people demonstrated with Chowdhury's body outside the Bagdogra police station, demanding a repeat post-mortem examination.

Uttar Pradesh Police had earlier conducted a post-mortem examination, which was "not to the satisfaction" of his family members.

"Following an appeal from Chowdhury's family, the Darjeeling district magistrate ordered a second post-mortem examination which was done during the day (Wednesday) at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH)," Siliguri sub-divisional officer Deepap Priya P. said.

Chowdhury of Bagdogra was employed as a teacher in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

He died in judicial custody in Azamgarh after his arrest in a kidnapping case.

His family members claimed he was in a relationship with the school owner's daughter. As the girl's father was against the marriage, the couple eloped.

Following a police complaint, the teacher's father and brother were arrested.

When Chowdhury came to know of this, he surrendered to police and was sent to judicial custody, said his brother-in-law Lal Babu Kamath.

Uttar Pradesh Police claimed he fell ill in custody and died in a hospital Monday.

NBMCH forensic department head Rajiv Prasad said the vicera report will be available after a month.