Budaun: Man dies in police custody amid allegations of assault

A 28-year-old man named Rajesh died on Friday after his health deteriorated while in police custody at the Dataganj police station in the Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

Rajesh had been detained for questioning following a dispute between two groups during a community feast at a temple in Atsena village. According to police, Rajesh collapsed after returning from the station's toilet. He was rushed to a community health center and subsequently referred to the Budaun district hospital, where he died during treatment.

The man's family has accused the police of assault and mistreatment, claiming he was held overnight and that his condition was not properly communicated to them. However, Senior Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma stated that CCTV footage shows Rajesh collapsing without signs of assault. She noted that a post-mortem examination attributed the death to cardiac arrest and found no visible injury marks on his body.

Authorities have promised an impartial inquiry into the incident to determine the exact circumstances of the death.