Custodial death case: no FIR yet, 7 policemen give statements

The Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday started recording statements of seven police personnel, including five who have been suspended, in the custodial death of 25-year-old

The Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday started recording statements of seven police personnel, including five who have been suspended, in the custodial death of 25-year-old Vijay Singh.

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However, no first information report (FIR) has been registered against them yet.

Singh was arrested with two others on Sunday after he got into a fight with a couple a few metres away from the Wadala TT police station.

He was taken to the lock-up, where he was allegedly beaten and denied water till he collapsed and died around 1am on Monday. On Tuesday, assistant police inspector Salim Khan, police sub inspector Sandeep Kadam, and three constables who were on duty at the time of the incident were suspended. The couple that Singh had a scuffle with was also booked for assault.

Shahji Umap, deputy commissioner of police, crime branch, said, “The doctor has not yet confirmed the cause of the death. It is too early to comment on registering an FIR as the case is still under investigation.”

Meanwhile, the Wadala police are also questioning people who protested against Singh’s death outside the police station on Tuesday and allegedly damaged a BEST bus stop there.

The victim was a resident of Sion Koliwada and worked as a medical representative. On Sunday, he was riding his bike when the headlight fell on a couple that was sitting at the side of the road.

A fight broke out between Singh and the couple, following which his cousin, Shivam Singh, and friend, Ankit Mishra, arrived at the spot. Soon, the police arrived as well.

The woman complained that Singh was harassing her, and the three were arrested.

According to Shivam, Singh was assaulted in lock-up, denied water and ventilation, and ignored even when he complained of chest pain.

He was brought out and handed over to his family after he collapsed. Singh was then taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead before admission.