Cuttack: In a major development in a 2016 custodial death case, six retired police personnel have been arrested and produced before a court in Narsinghpur on Tuesday evening.

The case relates to the death of Saroj Senapati, a resident of Malisahi village under Narsinghpur police limits. 

According to reports, Senapati was brought to the police station for questioning after his wife, Alaka Nayak, had filed a complaint related to a domestic dispute.

During interrogation, six police personnel allegedly subjected him to severe torture, which led to his death in custody.

The accused include retired ASI Bhagaban Sahu, retired Havildar Pramod Kumar Patra, Home Guard Joginath Nayak, Bhikari Nayak, Bhramar Rana, and Maheswar Debata.

A case (No. 130/16) had been registered under various sections of the IPC, including 448 (house trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement), 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 302 (murder), and 34 (common intention).

The custodial death case had also drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission, following which an inquiry was conducted. The investigation was reportedly handled by then police officer Niranjan Sabar.

On Tuesday, the accused were produced before the Narsinghpur court. As their bail pleas were rejected, the six retired police personnel were remanded to judicial custody.