A 36-year-old man, who was taken into police custody for questioning over rape allegations, died after suddenly falling ill, a senior official confirmed on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Pradeep, was detained following a severe complaint lodged by his 17-year-old stepdaughter.
Key Details of the Incident
- The Accusation: A teenage girl approached the police alleging that her stepfather, Pradeep, had been sexually assaulting her continuously for the past three years.
- The Custody & Illness: Following the complaint, the Shahjahanpur police picked up the accused for formal interrogation. However, during his time in custody, his health deteriorated rapidly.
- Official Action: Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Saurabh Dixit stated that a high-level probe has been constituted to thoroughly investigate the exact circumstances leading to the man’s death.
Warning of Strict Action
The district police administration has taken a serious note of the custodial death. SP Saurabh Dixit assured the public that a transparent investigation is underway.
“Strict legal action will be taken against any police personnel found guilty of negligence or standard protocol violations,” the SP added.
The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise medical cause of death, and further statutory proceedings regarding custodial deaths are being followed.