Uttar Pradesh: Inmate dies in judicial custody; nine policemen booked

A 29-year-old accused in a theft case, died in judicial custody at Nand Nagar Gadi police station in Moradabad following which nine policemen, including a Station officer, were on Saturday suspended and a case registered against them.

Rafiq alias Shabloo was arrested on Thursday from neighbouring Sirsi village and died in police custody on Friday, a senior police official said.

Following the incident his family staged a protest outside the police station, alleging that he was brutally thrashed to death by the policemen, he said.

"Prima facie it appears that Rafiq was brutally beaten by the police in judicial custody," DIG (Moradabad) Omkar Singh said.

Station officer Parvez Kumar Chauhan and eight others have been booked under Section 302 (murder) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) among other sections of the IPC, he said.

The DIG has ordered a magisterial inquiry in the matter and said strict action will be taken against the policemen if found guilty.