This story is from July 4, 2020

Mumbai: ‘Custody death’ victim’s family wants FIR as cops reinstated

Mumbai: ‘Custody death’ victim’s family wants FIR as cops reinstated
Representative Image
MUMBAI: The family of alleged Wadala custody death victim Vijay Singh moved Bombay high court, seeking an immediate FIR against police involved, and transfer of the case to CBI.
The family is unhappy as five suspended policemen, including sub-inspectors Sandeep Kadam and Salim Khan, were reinstated in May. Last month, assistant inspector Sachin Vaze, chargesheeted for custody death of terror suspect Khawaja Yunus, was reinstated after 16 years.
Officials said the five were among several suspended following allegations, but were reinstated on priority due to a manpower shortage following Covid-19.
“On behalf of the family I moved a petition before HC as we have lost faith in crime branch’s investigations. The reinstatement further saddened them. We want the case to be transferred to CBI for free and fair investigations,’’ said advocate Vinay Nair.
Vijay’s brother Vibhai, who is physically challenged, said, “I will not sit quietly. He was the sole bread-earner of the family. We will ensure those involved are punished.’’
Nair said eight months on police have not handed them the post-mortem report. “It is ridiculous. Will they have to file an RTI? What happened to the departmental inquiry against the five? How were they reinstated?” asked Nair.
Crime branch officials said investigations are delayed due to Covid and due to an inconclusive post-mortem report. While KEM hospital’s report said cause of death was “acute coronary insufficiency precipitated by sudden
panic attack (unnatural)”, JJ hospital stated “myocardial infarction”. Crime branch has approached JJ for its opinion on KEM’s report.
Vijay, a marketing executive, died at Wadala TT police station on October 27 after being detained in an alleged brawl case. Singh, a resident of Antop Hill, was on his bike with a friend, Ankit Mishra, when he had a tiff with a couple. A patrol van took all four to the police station.
Mishra said that on the couple’s complaint Vijay was beaten up in the lockup despite complaining of chest pain and requesting water. He then fell unconscious. He also said police took him in a private cab to Sion hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
In December, Mishra went missing, and despite Vibhai going to register a missing complaint, police did not accept it. Few days later, they informed Vibhai that they traced Ankit to his home town in Jaunpur but Ankit called Nair that day and told him that he was very much in Mumbai.
Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of the case.Ahmed Ali
author
About the Author
Ahmed Ali

S Ahmed Ali, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Mumbai, covers crime and related isues but sometimes he also takes up offbeat subjects. His interests: automobiles particularly bikes, and gymming.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA