Muslim Youth Dilshad Ansari Dies in Police Custody in India

Six police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended following the death of 25-year-old Dilshad Ansari in police custody in West Champaran district of Bihar, India. His family has accused the police of brutally assaulting him and called for a fair investigation into the incident.

Mr. Dilshad was arrested in connection with a case filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Bettiah police said on Monday that the officers were suspended soon after the incident came to light.

The suspended officers are Sub-Inspectors Ravi Shankar Kumar and Arun Kumar, and constables Saudagar Kumar Yadav, Raj Kumar Rishi, Kundan Kumar and Suman Kumar. All six were posted at Sahodra police station.

According to a police statement, Mr. Dilshad was arrested from the Banuchhapar police station area and was being taken to Sahodra police station when he allegedly jumped from the moving police vehicle. The statement said, “After being arrested from Banuchhapar, Mr. Dilshad was being taken to Sahodra police station when he suddenly jumped from the moving vehicle and was seriously injured.”

Police said he was first taken to the sub-divisional hospital in Narkatiaganj and later transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Bettiah. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Mr. Dilshad was a resident of Barai Tola in the Auraiya area under Banuchhapar police station in Bettiah. He had been accused in an NDPS case registered in August 2025.

Family Alleges Police Beating

Mr. Dilshad’s family has rejected the police account and alleged that he was beaten to death in custody. They have demanded a high-level investigation to establish what happened. His wife, Nagma Khatun, said police raided their home at around 2am on Monday and took Dilshad away. She said officers had promised to release him after questioning in the morning.

She added that they later received a phone call from Banuchhapar police station informing them that Mr.  Dilshad had fallen ill and asking them to go to Bettiah GMCH immediately. Nagma Khatun said, “When we arrived at the hospital, we found him lying dead.” Mr. Dilshad’s father, Akbar Ansari, also blamed the police for his son’s death.

He alleged, “The police struck my son hard on the head with a hard object, and that caused his death.” The family’s allegations have not yet been formally established. Police, however, maintain that Mr. Dilshad suffered serious injuries after jumping from the moving vehicle. Bettiah police said the six personnel were suspended immediately in response to the serious questions and allegations raised by the family.