Youth dies in police custody, JK govt orders magisterial probe

Jammu, Jan 17 (PTI) A youth arrested on charges oftheft died in police custody allegedly due to tortureprompting the Jammu and Kashmir government to order amagisterial probe and shunt out the Station House Officer.

30-year-old Vijay Kumar was arrested on January 14 oncharges of theft and lodged in Janipur police lock up here,officials said today.

He died under mysterious circumstances in policelock up yesterday following which locals resorted todemonstration and blocked a road demanding suspension of theSHO and a probe into the case.

Acting promptly, authorities sent SHO Jai Pal Sharmato police lines.

District Magistrate Sanjeev Verma has orderedmagisterial probe into the case, they said.

Meanwhile, the government has offered a job to thewife of deceased as Special Police Officer (SPO).