Hyderabad: Suspect held in theft case dies in custody

The suspect identified as Chiranjeevi of L B Nagar was detained by the police in connection with a case of theft that was registered at Tukaramgate police station.

Hyderabad: A property offender who was allegedly taken into custody in connection with a case of theft by Tukaramgate police died in the police station under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday night.

According to the police, the man Chiranjeevi (31), a resident of LB Nagar was reportedly summoned to police station as part of investigation into a case of mobile phone theft reported at Tukaramgate police station limits a few days ago.

---

On Tuesday evening, Chiranjeevi came to the police station and was asked to wait for a while as the officers were busy with some work. “While sitting in the police station, Chiranjeevi suffered an epileptic attack and collapsed. He was rushed to Gandhi Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment,” in-charge DCP (North) B K Rahul Hegde, said.

The police maintained that Chiranjeevi was previously involved in theft cases and the detectives zeroed on him after analysing the feed of the surveillance cameras where the offence was reported. “He has a history of epilepsy attack,” said the official.

However, family members alleged that Chiranjeevi died due to torture meted out by the police and there were injuries on his body.

Tension prevailed at Gandhi Hospital mortuary on Wednesday when the relatives of the man staged a protest demanding suspension of the police men who allegedly tortured Chiranjeevi at the police station resulting in his death. The police, however, pacified them and took a few of them into custody. The police are registering a case and investigating.

The police higher ups have also ordered an inquiry into the incident.