Theft accused dies after suffering severe chest, abdomen pain in Jammu hospital

A man arrested in a theft case over a week ago died at a hospital here after complaining of severe pain in his chest and abdomen, police said on Wednesday.

Madhya Pradesh native Suresh Anuragi, who was presently residing in Jammu’s Trikuta Nagar, was on February 4 arrested along with two other associates in a burglary case registered at Bahu Fort police station.

In an official statement, police said, “During the investigation of the case, recovery of stolen house hold items like LED, cylinder, fridge, etc., was made on the disclosure of the accused and he was on police remand in lockup at Bahu Fort”.

The police statement claimed that throughout his police remand, medical checkup of the accused was conducted regularly by the concerned SHO as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

On Tuesday when the accused was present in lockup of the police station, he disclosed to sentry on duty that he was feeling severe pain in his chest and abdomen. “Acting swiftly, the SHO concerned, immediately shifted him to the District Police Hospital, Jammu, and his family was informed,” the statement read. Later, he was referred to Government Medical College Hospital at around 4 pm for treatment but breathed his last at around 9.30 pm, said police.

“Anuragi’s family was present with him at the hospital during treatment,” the police said, adding that a request for magistrate inquiry has been raised and intimation was also sent to NHRC regarding the incident as per the provision of law. Moreover, a request has been placed for post-mortem which will be conducted in the hospital on Wednesday, the police said.

“Police remain committed to a fair inquiry and at the same time steadfast in holding to the rule of law while discharging its duties,” the police said. Quoting the mother of the deceased, the police said the accused who was in his 20’s was a drug addict and had also been admitted to a drug de-addiction centre in the past.