52-year-old dies in police custody, family alleges torture in UP

AGRA: A 52-year-old man died in police custody on Thursday in Agra district under suspicious circumstances, triggering protests by locals and his family, who alleged that he was "beaten to death in custody." Police, however said Kedar Singh, a resident of Gadi Hisiya under Dauki police station, suffered a cardiac arrest during questioning and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Singh was taken to the Kabees police outpost for questioning in a case registered in 2023 under IPC sections 420 (cheating) and 467 (forgery). Police said Kedar's health deteriorated during questioning, and he was taken to SN Medical College, where doctors declared him dead. His body was sent for postmortem.

Upon learning of his death, his relatives and local residents gathered at the police outpost and launched a protest, accusing police of "custodial torture". Kedar ran a flour mill. Devendra Singh, his son, said, "Four to five policemen arrived at our house in a Jeep.

They made my father sit inside and took him away. When we asked why, they told us they would explain at the outpost. At Barauli Ahir turn, they started beating him inside the vehicle. When we followed and tried to intervene, they took him to the outpost."

Kedar's brothers, Ram Prasad and Ashok Singh, alleged, "Police personnel stuffed cloth in his mouth and beat him brutally. He died at around 4pm after his condition worsened."

As tensions rose, police personnel at the outpost fled. Protesters then blocked the Agra-Lucknow expressway, demanding a murder case against the officers involved.

DCP (East) Atul Sharma said, "Kedar Singh was brought to the outpost for questioning in a case registered last year. During questioning, he died under suspicious conditions. Immediately, senior officers were informed. Prima facie, he died due to cardiac arrest."

"We have requested a postmortem by a panel of doctors with videography. Further action will be taken based on the probe. If any negligence is found, strict action will be taken," Sharma added.


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