Two Jammu and Kashmir police personnel were suspended after a man, arrested in drug peddling case, was found dead in police custody at Police Post (PP) Nagri in Kathua district on Monday evening.
The deceased was identified as Sonu Kumar, 42, son of Jagdish Chander of Sakta Chak, Kathua.
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His body was shifted to GMC Kathua for postmortem. The family members claimed 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.
The nephew of 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 wife. He was only earning person to cater 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 and they are keeping close watch on situation.
However, SSP Kathua, Shivdeep Singh Jamwal said that the drug -peddler 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 this evening he 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
