A police officer in Chickballapur was suspended on Monday following the death of a Congress worker allegedly during lathi charge.
The deceased has been identified as Vinay, 28, a resident of Chamarajpet in Chickballapur. The incident took place after supporters of two Congress factions fought on Sunday when State Congress observers had come to receive applications from ticket aspirants.
Supporters of K. Sudhakar, sitting MLA, and K.V. Naveenkiran, a contender for ticket, clashed at Siddeshwar Bhavan where the meeting took place. The police then resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the mob Vinay, who got injured, was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed.
This led to protests at the hospital, while many pelted stones at the rural police station.
Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy suspended Circle Inspector B. Shivaswamy for dereliction of duty. However, the police officials said that Vinay died of heart attack and had not suffered any injury.