Balrampur, Chhattisgarh, November 12, 2025 — A 19-year-old theft accused, Umesh Singh, died during treatment at a hospital while in police custody in Balrampur district, triggering widespread concern and prompting the authorities to order a judicial inquiry into the incident. The young man’s death has also led to the temporary suspension of four police officers and intensified scrutiny of law enforcement practices in the district.

According to officials, Umesh Singh, a resident of Nakna village under the Sitapur police limits in neighbouring Surguja district, was among nine people arrested in connection with a jewellery shop theft on Chando Road on the night of October 30–31. The police had also recovered nearly the entire haul of stolen jewellery, estimated to be worth around ₹50 lakh. While eight of the arrested individuals were alleged to have been involved in selling or facilitating the stolen valuables, Singh was reportedly implicated in the theft itself.

Singh’s health reportedly deteriorated while he was being transferred from Surguja to the Balrampur police station for questioning on November 9. Upon arrival, he was admitted to the Balrampur district hospital but succumbed during treatment the same day. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined, pending the post-mortem report. Balrampur Additional Superintendent of Police Vishwadeepak Tripathi confirmed that a judicial inquiry has been ordered to examine the circumstances leading to Singh’s death and assured that further action would follow based on the findings of the post-mortem and the probe.

In response to the incident, four police officers have been moved from active duty to the district police reserve centre in Balrampur. These officers include Inspector Himmat Singh Shekhawat and Constable Akash Tiwari from the Cyber Cell, and Sub-Inspector Radheshyam Vishwakarma along with Constable Madhuri Kujur from Balrampur police station. The move comes amid rising public anger and allegations of custodial torture.

Singh’s family has alleged that he was brutally beaten by police while in custody, claiming that he was picked up on November 7 and subjected to two days of severe torture before being brought to Balrampur. Family members staged protests outside Balrampur district hospital on Monday and Tuesday, refusing to accept the body until strict punitive action was taken against the officers responsible. They demanded a thorough investigation and accountability from the law enforcement agencies.

The police, however, have strongly denied allegations of torture. According to official records, Umesh Singh was suffering from sickle cell disease and had a history of multiple hospitalisations over the past year, including at least ten admissions and two blood transfusions. Authorities maintain that his deteriorating condition on the morning of November 9 was a sudden medical emergency, necessitating immediate hospitalisation. They asserted that Singh’s pre-existing health condition, rather than any external assault, was the primary cause of his death.

Police records also indicate that Singh, along with his father Hiru Singh, alias Feku Singh, is named in multiple cases of theft and burglary registered within the Surguja division. Authorities have cited this background as part of the broader investigation into the jewellery shop theft case and to contextualise his arrest and custody.

The incident has sparked significant debate regarding custodial practices in the state. Advocates for police reform and civil rights have emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement, particularly in cases involving individuals with known medical conditions. They argue that custodial deaths, whether due to negligence or deliberate misconduct, reflect systemic gaps in policing and prison management that require urgent reform.

The judicial inquiry, as ordered by Balrampur authorities, is expected to examine all aspects of Singh’s detention, treatment, and hospitalisation, including whether proper medical protocols were followed and whether the officers in custody adhered to legal and ethical standards. The inquiry will also investigate claims of custodial torture raised by Singh’s family. Once completed, the findings will guide any legal action against the personnel involved and determine further administrative measures to prevent similar incidents.

The case underscores the delicate balance law enforcement must maintain between enforcing the law and ensuring the welfare and rights of individuals in custody. The authorities in Balrampur have pledged full cooperation with the judicial inquiry and assured the public that the matter will be addressed with transparency and accountability.

As the judicial probe proceeds, Singh’s death has already triggered discussions at the district and state levels regarding improved monitoring of detainees, enhanced medical care in police custody, and stricter adherence to human rights protocols. Legal experts and activists have called for mandatory health checks for detainees with pre-existing conditions and independent oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse or negligence.

The broader context of the theft case, involving multiple accused and a substantial recovery of stolen jewellery, highlights the complexity of criminal investigations in the region. Authorities are expected to continue their probe into the larger criminal network while the judicial inquiry into Singh’s custodial death runs concurrently. The outcome of the probe could have implications not only for the officers involved but also for the procedures governing arrests, custody, and prisoner welfare in Chhattisgarh.

In conclusion, the death of 19-year-old Umesh Singh during police custody in Balrampur has sparked both family outrage and official action, including the initiation of a judicial inquiry and the temporary reassignment of four police personnel. While the police maintain that Singh’s death was due to complications arising from sickle cell disease, his family alleges custodial torture. The investigation and judicial probe will determine the exact circumstances and ensure accountability, highlighting the critical need for careful monitoring of detainees, especially those with known medical vulnerabilities, and adherence to ethical custodial practices.