Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: Eight people, including the owner of a private de-addiction centre, have been arrested in connection with the alleged assault and death of a youth at the facility in Tripura, police said on Saturday.
Those arrested include Swapna Foundation Rehab Centre owner Shubham Biswas, office staff and some inmates of the facility, police said.
A case has been registered at the NCC police station under Sections 118(1) and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
NCC police station officer-in-charge Paritosh Das said a complaint was filed by Shahana Das Bhattacharya on August 16, alleging that her husband, Tuhinsubhra Bhattacharya, was assaulted at the rehabilitation centre on August 9.
Tuhinsubhra was subsequently taken to GBP Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, according to the complaint.
The complainant also alleged that the family had paid the centre for treatment, medicines and medical consultations and was later asked to make additional payments, Das said.
Police launched an investigation after registering the case. During the probe, investigators found preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of eight people, leading to their arrests.
Police also said preliminary examination found marks of assault on the deceased’s body.
Das said no similar complaint had previously been filed against the centre. However, he said investigators had found sufficient evidence in the present case to arrest the eight accused.
Police said the family had initially paid Rs 5,000 when Tuhinsubhra was admitted to the centre. The alleged demand for additional money is also being examined as part of the investigation.
The accused are expected to be produced before a court, where police are likely to seek their remand for further investigation.