Police officer held in Dalit killings case

A sub inspector under whose jurisdiction four members of a Dalit family were killed in Khairlanji in Bhandara district of Maharashtra two months ago has been arrested, police said on Friday.

Sub Inspector Siddheshwar Bharne attached to the Aandhalgaon Police Station was already under suspension on charges of dereliction of duty. "Already placed under suspension for dereliction of duty along with beat constable Baban Meshram, Bharne is facing charges under section 217 of Indian Penal Code along with other offences," Superintendent of Police Suresh Sagar told PTI.

Soon after his arrest, Bharne complained of uneasiness and was admitted to the intensive care unit of Bhandara Civil Hospital on Thursday, Sagar said, adding: "He (Bharne) is under magisterial custody remand and his police custodial remand will be sought once he is discharged from the hospital."

Initial lapses on part of police officers, including Sub-Divisional Police Officer Vinayak Susatkar, in booking the perpetrators of crime led to vehement protests from Dalits across the state. The protests later turned violent and spread to other parts of Vidarbha and elsewhere.