221 people died in police custody and in jail: Home Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 21 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said 221 persons died in police custody and jails during the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government.

In a written reply, he told the Assembly this included 207 persons, 194 in hospitals, six during parols, five in jail and two on the way to hospital.

Besides this, 14 persons died in police custody, he added.

Mr Balakrishnan said five cases had been registed in connection with prisoners' death in jail and action taken against policemen in two cases.

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