Custody death: Autopsy finds injury marks on man’s body

AGRA: Severe injuries revealed in the autopsy of a Dalit prisoner who died in custody have shocked the authorities in Firozabad, raising serious concerns about police and jail conduct. Aakash Kumar, 28, from Nagla Pachiya, was arrested by cops last Monday on suspicion of bike theft and sent to jail on Wednesday. Just 40 hours later, he was dead.
His autopsy, conducted by three doctors, found 14 severe injuries on his body.These included a blue patch around his left eye and bruises on his neck, arms, thighs, scapular region, buttocks, and lower back. Blood was also oozing from his nose. The cause of death was stated as "coma due to antemortem head injury."
Additional details noted a "bluish contusion on the upper eyelid and conjunctiva of his left eye." Injury marks were found on the right side of his neck and his right upper arm near the shoulder. A painful swelling was observed behind his right elbow, accompanied by abrasions.
Further injuries included swelling on the man's right arm, wrist, buttocks and his right hand. A blue mark was found on the anterior part of his right thigh, while swelling was observed on the lateral aspect of his left thigh. And "abraded contusion 17x16cm over the left scapular region."
While the jail administration claimed Aakash died of illness, the postmortem report contradicted this, revealing the extent of his injuries. According to sources, conflicting medical reports from the district hospital and district jail have raised questions about their accuracy. The South Police Station, which sent Aakash to jail, claimed he was completely healthy as per the district hospital's report. However, a medical examination at the jail shortly after his arrival noted a head injury, as recorded by the jail's physician.
SP (jail) A K Singh declined to comment on the hospital's rebort. "Whoever is found guilty will be punished," he stated. Firozabad SSP Saurabh Dixit said, "Following due process, Aakash Kumar was taken for a medical examination. He was reported to be healthy and had no injuries. He was produced before the magistrate and sent to jail following court orders."
Following the violence, police registered two FIRs against 40 named and 75 unidentified persons.