Custodial death case: ‘Don’t want ₹10L from CM, just want justice for my son’

The family of 25-year-old Vijay Singh, who died in custody at Wadala TT police station on Monday, refused compensation of ₹10 lakh from the state government, after

The family of 25-year-old Vijay Singh, who died in custody at Wadala TT police station on Monday, refused compensation of ₹10 lakh from the state government, after a meeting with chief minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday.

They also reiterated their demand that a first information report (FIR) be registered against the five suspended cops who were on duty at the time of the incident.

“I told the CM that even if he offered me ₹1 crore, I would never take it. All I want is justice for my son. He assured me that the culprits will be held accountable for what they did to my son. No one can return my son but the persons who are responsible for taking his life should be punished,” said Singh’s father Hriday, who works as a taxi driver.

Singh, a resident of Sion Koliwada, used to work as a medical representative at a private firm. According to family members, he had gotten engaged in May and the wedding was scheduled for November.

Singh used to help his family financially, including with medical costs of his sister who is expecting a child. He recently also took a loan and purchased a new car for his father’s taxi business.

On Sunday, he was riding his bike when he took a turn and the bike’s headlight fell on a couple that was sitting at the side of the road. Singh and two others were picked up from the spot.

According to his cousin, Shivam, Singh was beaten up and denied water till he collapsed and died around 1am on Monday.

Protests broke out outside the police station on Tuesday. Police are also separately investigating cases of vandalism reported during the protest. As of Thursday, police vans were stationed in the Sion Koliwada area to avoid a law-and-order situation.

“[On Sunday, in the lock-up] when Vijay started complaining of chest pain, we requested the police to take him to the hospital. But they refused, saying that there is no fuel in the vans. We then took him to the hospital in a cab, where he was declared dead before admission,” said Hriday.

“When the police learnt that Vijay has died, they arrived at the hospital in police vans. They didn’t have fuel to save my dying son, but showed up in numbers to save their own necks. In a few months, these men will return to their normal lives and have their jobs back. My son will not,” said Hriday.