Held for theft, youth dies in police custody

The agitation was called off only after a fresh inquest punchnama report wasprepared and Salim’s body was sent to Sassoon hospital for a freshpost-mortem.

Later, local social worker Bhai Vivek Chavan moved a petition beforejudicial magistrate (first class) Vijaya Satpute demanding that a caseshould be filed against the concerned police officials and that a CIDinquiry should be ordered.

The JMFC has admitted the petition and directed the inspector in-charge ofKhadak police station to produce the documents pertaining to the case incourt on or before November 20.

Assistant Commissioner of Police A D Suryavanshi claimed that the Khadakpolice were looking for Salim for his suspected involvement in someburglaries since Monday. He was detained for interrogation by a Khadakpolice team last afternoon, he added.

Salim was formally arrested under section 41 (1) (D) of the CrPC around 3.30pm after booty of about Rs 1.24 lakh was recovered from him, ACP Suryavanshisaid.

Shortly after his arrest, the police said, Salim complained that he was notfeeling well. A doctor was brought to the police station. Later, Salim wasshifted to Sassoon hospital where he was proclaimed dead on arrival.

ACP Suryavanshi said the first inquest punchanama report, prepared in thepresence of a sub-divisional magistrate as well as Salim’s wife Noorjehanlast night, mentioned that Salim had some bruises on his body. Noorjehan hadrevealed in the presence of the sub divisional magistrate that Salim wassuffering from AIDS and the claim was also included in the inquestpunchanama report, he added.

The doctors who performed the first post-mortem on Salim had reserved theiropinion about the cause of death. They have also preserved his viscera foranalysis.

According to the police, Salim’s relatives refused to perform the last ritesafter the body was taken to a burial ground at Yerawada.

A fresh inquest punchanama report was prepared and Salim’s body was sent fora fresh post-mortem after Minister of State Chandrakant Shivarkar visitedthe burial ground and issued directives to the effect. The post-mortem wason at Sassoon hospital till late night.

However, Noorjehan claimed that her husband had been rounded up by thepolice on Monday night. She alleged that a team led by sub-inspectorDuryodhan Pawar, which detained Salim, had seized several articles belongingto her after tearing the purchase receipts.

Noorjehan, who claimed that Salim was in good health, also alleged that thepolice had threatened her with dire consequences if she did not claim thathe was suffering from AIDS.

She also alleged that the police had already dug a grave and made all otherarrangements to bury Salim before his body was taken to the burial ground atYerawada.

According to the police records, Salim’s involvement was suspected inseveral burglaries which took place in areas falling under the jurisdictionof Sahakarnagar, Kothrud, Khadak, Swargate and Haveli police stations.Police said Salim’s family hails from Neera Narsinghpur town in Indapurtehsil. His father, who works at a flour mill at Bhiroba Nala, stays inHadapsar while Salim lived at Wagholi along with his wife and two children.