Davangere, 25 May

A police station was vandalised in Davangere’s Channagiri and several vehicles were set on fire by a violent mob over an alleged custodial death, during the small hours of Saturday.

Adil, 30, was detained on 24 May for his alleged involvement in gambling activities, police said adding his health condition deteriorated and he died on Friday night.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Deputy Superintendent of Police and Channagiri police station inspector have been suspended following the attack. He also said that it was not a custodial death.

As the news of the man's death spread, his relatives along with a large group of people went on a rampage, damaging police vehicles and hurling stones at the police station, alleging that he died in custody.

Davangere Superintendent of Police Uma Prashanth said the body has been shifted to the government hospital and it will be handed over to the family members after postmortem. Police are patrolling the area and additional forces have been deployed.

Action will be taken based on the postmortem report. The autopsy will be conducted in the presence of a Magistrate, she said.

The police claimed that the accused died within six to seven minutes after being brought to the station. "His parents are also aware of it and they have been convinced," Prashanth said.

Siddaramaiah said the accused man has a history of epileptic seizures. “The accused should have been sent back after inquiry and he should not have been detained at the police station. Police are at fault, but it is not a lockup death. I have enquired it," he said. -PTI