52-year-old dies in police custody, relatives allege torture

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) A 52-year-old man died in police custody in Mayur Vihar police station in East Delhi, allegedly due to torture.

However, police denied the allegation saying Inder alias Bengali died a natural death.

''Inder, who was a bad character with more than 20 cases and a drug addict, was arrested under the Arms Act yesterday night. After he did not wake up this morning we took him to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital where he was declared brought dead,'' said a senior police officer.

Involved in several cases of rape, attempt to murder, dacoity and other crimes, Inder had been convicted in seven cases. He wanted some drugs last night before going for sleep but we did not give him, the officer added.

''The body has been sent for a post-mortem and an ADM enquiry, as is natural in any custodial death, has been ordered.'' Meanwhile, sources said no case had been registered against Inder in the last one year as he was trying to mend his ways. For this he had opened a grocery shop and was fully involved in his business.

Police had been regularly harrassing Inder, who lived in Trilokpuri, for 'payments', they said.

His wife also alleged that he was beaten by the police before being taken away.

Officials said a medical board has been formed which will conduct the post-mortem on the body.

UNI AN YA RN2005