Nawada/Patna: A 16-year-old boy died in police custody in Nawada on Thursday morning, prompting violent protests and accusations of murder against the local police force. The teenager, Sunny Kumar, had been detained the previous evening after being accused of eloping with the sister of a Bihar Police constable.
Sunny, a resident of Bauri village in the Kashi Chowk block, had reportedly been in a relationship with Preeti Kumari, also from the same village, for three years. The pair allegedly eloped a week ago. Her brother subsequently filed a complaint, leading to Sunny’s detention by police at around 7pm on Wednesday.
Sunny was found dead inside the Kashichak police station at 7am on Thursday. Rope marks were discovered on his neck, intensifying suspicion among family members who accused police personnel — and the girl’s family — of colluding to kill him. They alleged that the death could not have occurred without negligence or foul play.
The custodial death triggered immediate outrage. An angry crowd vandalised a police vehicle and deflated the tyres of an emergency service vehicle. Tension prevailed in the area throughout the morning as residents demanded accountability.
DSP Rakesh Kumar confirmed the death of a minor within the police station premises and said CCTV footage from inside the building was being reviewed. “A case related to a love affair had been registered against the minor, and he was taken into custody. The matter is under investigation,” he said.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether any officers have been suspended or reassigned pending the inquiry. The incident has once again raised questions about custodial safety and policing practices in Bihar.
