A 35-year-old undertrial prisoner lodged at the Sabarmati Central Prison died in civil hospital here on Monday while being in judicial custody on the charge of transporting hooch, officials said on Tuesday.
However, family members of the deceased Sanjay Athwal claimed that he died due to torture by the police and jail authorities. Police denied the charge, saying Athwal was a habitual drinker and died due to some ailment. The Accidental Death Report (ADR) registered by Ranip police stated that Athwal was declared dead by the doctors of the civil hospital hours after he was admitted there by jail authorities Monday evening.
According to police, Athwal was unwell since he was brought to the jail on October 6 and received treatment at a hospital inside the jail premises for a day before he was shifted to the civil hospital. "Athwal was arrested by Meghaninagar police in the
city on October 5 on the charge of bootlegging. He was sent to the jail on order of a magistrate the next day," said Meghaninagar police inspector P G Sarvaiya. PTI