murder representational
[Representational Image]Reuters

A police officer working at Chindwara district in Madhya Pradesh was hacked to death by the relatives and friends of a suspect on Tuesday, July 24.

The incident took place when Devendra Nagale, the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Umreth police, went to Jamunia Jethu village to arrest the suspect -- Johri Lal Kakodia. The suspect was booked under sections 294 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code.

Nagale was accompanied by police constable Devendra Kumre. At around 1 am, Kakodia was drinking along with his friends and relatives when the duo confronted them. 

Kakodia refused to go with the police officers, forcing Nagale to grab him by the collar. This angered his friends and relatives, who immediately attacked the assistant sub-inspector with sharp-edged weapons. He died on the spot.

The constable managed to escape under the cover of darkness. He reached the police van and informed his colleagues. Reinforcements were soon rushed to the spot, but it was too late as the accused had fled the spot. 

The police have now registered a murder case and have started the investigation. Senior police officers have also been dispatched to the village and additional forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.

ASI Nagale's post-mortem was done on Wednesday, following which his body was handed over to the family for cremation. Nagale, a resident of Sevni district, was in the police force for almost 20 years and was posted at multiple police stations at Chidwara district in Madhya Pradesh