Cop lands in jail after custodial death

The complainant,Islam Ali of Prahladpur village,said in his FIR that his brother Salim alias Danna and three others were returning from the brick kiln,where they work,around 11 pm on Sunday in a tempo when they were stopped by the SO and other policemen.

Islam alleged that the SO began hurling expletives while frisking them and Salim objected to it and asked them to behave. This angered the SO who then bundled him and other locals in the police jeep and took them to the police station.

Salim was allegedly tortured in police custody following which he fell unconscious. He was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Islam stated that the SO called him up early Monday morning and asked him to come to the mortuary. He found his brother’s body lying there.

Islam also alleged that the SO and the constables snatched Rs 10,000 and a cellphone from Salim before he was taken to the police station.

Bareilly DIG N K Srivastava said the SO failed to give a convincing reply on the incident and that the primary investigation showed it was a case of custodial death.

The DIG said a video recording of the postmortem has been done to ensure transparency. The report,however,has not revealed any injury mark and the exact cause behind the death. The viscera have been sent for forensic test,he added.