Man dies in a bid to flee from police custody

A 26-year-old man died after sustaining severe head injuries while attempting to escape police custody in West Delhi's Mayapuri police station, officials said on Saturday.The incident occurred on November 26, following Anshuman Taneja’s detention for allegedly attacking his parents and uncle with a knife at their home, police said.

Police said they had responded to a distress call from Taneja’s family that night. “When police reached the spot, the victims said that their son Anshuman Taneja had attacked them with knives. The victims were admitted to the hospital, and Anshuman was taken to the police station for questioning,” a senior official said.

While in custody, Taneja reportedly tried to escape by pushing the police personnel and attempting to jump over a wall. “In an attempt to escape, Anshuman pushed the staff and tried to jump a wall but fell,” the police official added.

The official said that he tried to climb over a three-four feet high wall, however, he suffered a serious head injury and was immediately rushed to the LNJP Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on November 28.

Police said that all due procedures were being followed related to the inquiry and assured that Taneja’s family was being informed about the proceedings.

Taneja’s family revealed that he had been mentally unwell prior to the incident. On November 24 , he had made a PCR call alleging a theft in his house, which was later found to be false. The police said his mother had revealed that when the boy was filing the complaint from his mobile phone, she was trying to snatch the phone from him, however he wielded the knife.

His parents and uncle, who were injured in the knife attack, were rushed to the hospital, with his uncle now discharged and his parents still receiving treatment at Base Hospital. His father, a retired Navy employee, remains in critical care. Anshuman was a law graduate and had been having episodes of aggression, an official said.

Inquiry by a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has been initated into Taneja’s death while in custody. “An independent investigation is being conducted to ensure transparency and accountability,” an official said.