Theft accused dies in mysterious condition, kin allege police

A 28-year-old man, who was in judicial custody since June 4 in a theft case and admitted to civil hospital here after his health deteriorated in the local jail, died last night, police said today.

Though police denied it was a case of custodial death, a large number of people from Patel community started gathering outside the hospital since last night and demanded action against those responsible for the death of Ketan Patel, a resident of Balol village near here.

According to the officials of Mehsana taluka police, Patel was arrested on June 3 after a shop owner in Balol village lodged a complaint stating that Patel stole around Rs 5,000 from his shop.
 

"Patel was arrested on June 3 and presented before a local magistrate the next day. He was sent to judicial custody by the court on June 4. He was admitted to hospital by jail authorities last night after his health deteriorated. He eventually died at civil hospital during night," said Mehsana District SP Chaitanya Mandlik.

As news of Patel's death spread, a large number of people from Patidar community, including his family members, gathered at civil hospital and refused to claim the body.

The deceased's father Mahendra Patel accused the police of beating his son mercilessly during custody.

"My son was in police custody since June 1. They beat him mercilessly for two days before showing his arrest on June 3. I saw many injury marks on his body today, which proves that he died due to torture by police. We will not claim his body until action is taken," Mahendra told reporters.

Meanwhile, Patel quota leader Hardik Patel has alleged that Ketan Patel died due to torture by police in custody.

"Upon learning about Ketan's death, thousands of Patels gathered at Mehsana today. He died due to police torture. Mehsana was the epicentre of our stir and time has come to once again wake up the government with our roar," Hardik said in a statement today.

Denying the allegations, the district SP said Patel was not in their custody when he died.

"This is not a case of custodial death, as he was in jail. If police had tortured him during custody, then he could have complained to the magistrate on June 4 or to the jail authorities later on. But, he never said anything," the officer said, adding that an inquiry has been ordered into the matter.