Nand Nagri death: 'Use of force' by cops not ruled out

New Delhi: The District Magistrate, who is probing the "mysterious" death of a man while being taken to a police station in North Delhi's Nand Nagri, has not ruled out "use of force" by the cops and said he was also probing why the victim's wife was allegedly made to stay at police station till late night.

Sources said that in his interim findings, DM (Shahdara) Abhishek Singh has termed the death of Shanu Shahnawaz Chaudhary (35) "unnatural" and the role of 12-13 police personnel who took him to hospital is under the scanner.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia yesterday ordered a magisterial probe into the death of Chaudhary after area MLA Rajendra Gautam and locals complained the Delhi government about the incident.

Chaudhary died on Monday under "mysterious circumstances" while being taken to a police station, after he intervened in a fight between a couple and police.

Singh said that his report is almost complete and he would submit it tomorrow, adding that he has taken a video into congnisance in which the role of police was allegedly questionable and that it was a part of his investigation.

"There are two aspects which are being investigated in the case. Firstly, there are allegations that police had resorted to use of force and there was negligence on their part which led to the death of Chaudhary.

"The other aspect is the wife of the victim was made to stay at the police station in till 2:30 AM. Whether the police had authority to do so or not. These aspects are being investigated," the DM told reporters here.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Sisodia met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung regarding this case and have submitted a video evidence of the incident demanding strict action against the cops, the source said.

"We aren't denying that the death of victim has been due to use of force by police...We are probing the aspect whether he has died of being thrased by police or because of negligence of police or because of some other reason. All the cops who were there at the time are being probed," Singh said.

Sources said that DM has asked the SDM to find out with whose permission the woman was kept at the police station till late.

They also said Delhi government is likely to seek registration of FIR against those cops who took the victim to the hospital.

"Government may seek registration of FIR against the police personnel who took Choudhary in PCR van to hospital," they said.