Five cops suspended in Mumbai

MUMBAI : Five police personnel, attached to the Wadala Truck Terminal police station, Mumbai, were suspended on Tuesday in connection with the custodial death of a 25-year-old man. The suspended police officers include an inspector and a sub inspector.

Vijay Singh, who was arrested after a scuffle with a couple near the police station, died in the early hours of Monday.

Around 1,000 people – including Singh’s family protested outside the Wadala TT police station and blocked the highway on

Tuesday morning. The case is being investigated by Mumbai crime branch. The victim was a resident of Sion Koliwada and worked as a medical representative at a private firm.

Victim’s uncle Sanjay said, “After Diwali puja, he left to meet his fiancée. He was on his bike when its headlight fell on a couple at the roadside. The couple got angry and a scuffle broke out. Soon, Singh’s cousin Shivam and friend Ankit Mishra arrived at the spot as did the police. According to Shivam, the woman complained that Singh was harassing her. The trio were taken to the police station where Singh was kept in a lock-up while the other two were made to sit in the station house.

“They kept him in the lock-up. He complained of chest pain and asked for water, but they did not listen... He collapsed an hour later and died,” said Shivam.

“We took him to Sion Hospital but he was declared brought dead,” he said. Deputy commissioner of police Saurabh Tripathi said, “As per the preliminary investigation, one assistant police inspector, police sub inspector and three constables who were on duty at the time of incident, have been suspended”.