Bengal worker dies in Goa cop custody, family cries murder
Times of India | 4 January 2026
Kolkata: The mysterious death of a 36-year-old migrant worker from Basirhat in North 24 Parganas while in police custody in Goa triggered allegations of murder, with his family demanding an immediate and impartial probe against jail and police officials.
The family of Debananda Sana — a labourer from Ramakrishnapally, ward No. 11 of Taki municipality — alleged that he was beaten to death after being taken into custody reportedly on suspicion of theft. Debananda's family members claimed he worked as a mason for a long time in the Fakir Varam Galli area of Vasco da Gama. He was arrested by Vasco da Gama Police on Dec 25.
"The following day, on Dec 26, we were informed that he was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour at Bambolim. Later, he was shifted to Goa Medical College, where he died on Dec 30," a family member said.
The family said they were informed of Debananda's death over the phone. Shocked and distraught, they said they would approach the chief minister seeking justice.
Debananda's family members approached local Trinamool functionaries, and with the initiative of local representatives in Taki and the intervention of Basirhat District Police, his body was brought to Kolkata airport on Saturday and taken to his home in Taki.
Debananda's mother, Kamala Sana, repeatedly lost consciousness, unable to bear the loss of her only son. "Our family survived on my son's earnings. Why did the Goa police arrest him, and how did he die in custody?" she cried, questioning why Bengalis were unsafe in other states.
Debananda's sister, Ruma Mondal, said she spoke to her brother on the morning he was arrested. "There are bruises and injury marks on the soles of his feet, which clearly suggest he was beaten. The police killed him," she said.