On Monday, Sonu Kumar, 42, son of Jagdish Chander of Sakta Chak, Kathua, arrested in a drug peddling case and lodged at Police Post (PP) Nagri in Kathua died mysteriously in custody itself. After which, his body was shifted to GMC Kathua for postmortem, Daily Excelsior reported.
Meanwhile, his family members have claimed that it was a custodial death as the deceased was physically fit when they met him some time prior to his death in the Police Post today.
As per the Daily Excelsior report, the nephew of the deceased, Rahul Kumar said his uncle’s death is a mystery and it was purely a custodial death as there was no sign of any physically illness when the family members met him in the Police Post Nagri during the day.
The deceased has left behind three minor children and a wife. He was the only earning person to cater to the family, said Rahul.
He was arrested by Police Post, Nagri on February 4 when a police team led by PSI, Ravinder Thakur in charge PP Nagri under the supervision of DySP Headquarters, Kathua, Shammi Kumar laid down a naka at Goond area, during Naka checking they apprehended him and on his physical search, approximately seven grams of heroin (Chitta) like narcotics was recovered from his illegal possession.
A case FIR No. 40/2023 U/S 8/21/22 NDPS Act was registered at PS Kathua against him. The family of deceased has demanded inquiry into his mysterious death.
A police team also reached GMC, Kathua to keep a close watch on situation, Daily Excelsior maintains.
However, as per the report, SSP Kathua, Shivdeep Singh Jamwal has said that Sonu has committed suicide. He said he was arrested on February 4 on inter State naka and FIR under Section 8/21/22 NDPS Act was registered against him.
He said earlier an FIR under NDPS Act was also registered against him in the year 2017. Later in the year 2018 he was involved in a ransom case.
The SSP said that Sonu hanged himself with the strip of his blanket along the door. He said pending inquiry against two cops on duty were put under suspension soon after the incident and the incharge PP has been attached to District Police Lines Kathua.