Man held in Rs 4.5 crore fraud dies in custody, family alleges police torture

Amol Sonawane, the deceased

The Pant Nagar police have come under the scanner of the Crime Branch after an Airoli resident, arrested on cheating charges, died in police custody on Sunday. Family and friends of Amol Sonawane, 38, alleged police tortured him which led to his death. Police arrested Sonawane on the night of March 9 after receiving complaints that he had duped people of crores on the pretext of selling flats for cheap. They produced him in court on March 10 and secured his custody until March 12.

Amol Sonawane, the deceased

However, on "March 11, he complained of uneasiness and was shifted to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar where succumbed on the morning of March 13," said an officer from Pant Nagar police station. His family and friends refused to claim the body, alleging torture. Jaydeep Sawant, a friend of Amol, said, "There were marks on his body which suggests he was tortured. We definitely believe the police have beaten him mercilessly. Otherwise, how could a person, who was medically fit, die after being arrested? This has to be investigated." The commissioner of police has transferred the matter to the Crime Branch to investigate the allegations of custodial torture.

The Pant Nagar police arrested him on the night of March 9

Prashant Kadam, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 7), said, "We followed all the procedure after his arrest and he was not tortured. The Crime Branch will probe the allegations and the truth will come out." The body had been sent to JJ Hospital for post-mortem to find the exact cause of death. Amol suffered from hypertension and diabetes. Amol was booked twice earlier and the alleged cheating value is Rs 4.50 crore. He is survived by his wife and two children.