Amritsar: Man arrested on charge of drug peddling dies in hospital

A man arrested by the Majitha road police in a drug-related case died under mysterious circumstances. According to the police, he was HIV positive, besides being a Hepatitis patient and died in the hospital.

However, the family members of the deceased on the other hand alleged that he was arrested in a false case and died in police custody. They raised slogans against the Punjab Police and staged a dharna outside the Majitha Road police station in this connection.

Senior police officials reached the spot and pacified the protesters, adding that appropriate action would be taken after the autopsy report of the deceased.

The Majitha police said he was brought on police remand for interrogation, but his health condition deteriorated in the evening as he was HIV positive and was also suffering from Hepatitis. He was immediately admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where he died. They said further investigations are in progress.

The family members alleged that the deceased was not a drug addict nor was he involved in drug peddling. The police had lodged a false FIR against him on August 20 while showing a recovery of 20 gm heroin.

The police produced him in a court, which sent him to police custody for further probe. His condition started deteriorating on Saturday night and was admitted to hospital where they came to know that he was suffering from Hepatitis and HIV.