Four Bengaluru police officers sentenced to seven years for custodial death

Four police officers from the Jeevanbima Nagar station have been sentenced to seven years of imprisonment for the custodial death of a burglary suspect, Mahendra Rathod, in 2016. The court also imposed a fine of ₹55,000 on each officer, with an additional year of imprisonment if they fail to pay the amount.

Head constable Ejaj Khan and constables Keshava Murthy, Mohan Ram, and Siddappa Bommanahalli were convicted of culpable homicide under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code. Special Judge Yashwanthkumar delivered the verdict on Tuesday, marking a significant ruling in cases of custodial violence.

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The officers had claimed Rathod succumbed to sickle cell disease, a hereditary condition affecting red blood cells. However, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) debunked this defense by conducting blood tests on Rathod's children, confirming they did not inherit the disorder, and ruling out its presence in their father.

Autopsy reports further cemented the prosecution's case, revealing that Rathod died due to a vaso-occlusive crisis caused by severe physical assault. The victim, arrested in a theft case, sustained multiple injuries while in custody on March 19, 2016, leading to his death.

Public prosecutor P. Krishnaveni reportedly stated, “The stress and injuries inflicted on the victim triggered the fatal crisis.”

The convicted officers have been transferred to Bengaluru Central Prison, signaling accountability in a long-standing case of custodial abuse.