45-Year-Old Mumbai Man Arrested Under POSCO Act Dies in Police Custody, Probe on

Mumbai: In a shocking turn of events, a 45-year-old man arrested by the Paidhuni police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has died while in police custody. To determine whether negligence or custodial torture led to the death, the investigation has been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

According to sources, the post-mortem report has revealed that the cause of death was "evidence of cellulitis."

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The incident began on the night of February 14 when the police received a distress call reporting that a man had allegedly molested a six-year-old girl. Eyewitnesses intervened, detaining the accused and assaulting him before the police arrived on the scene. The responding police team took the accused to a nearby hospital for treatment, after which he was released following first aid. Subsequently, the police transported him to the Paidhuni police station, where he was formally arrested under the relevant sections of POCSO for the alleged offense.

On February 15, the accused was presented in court, which remanded him to police custody until February 17. Upon reappearance in court on February 17, the custody was extended until February 20.

During custody, the accused reported feeling unwell on February 18 when taken for a medical examination. The attending doctor recommended hospitalization for cellulitis surgery due to the accused's deteriorating health. He was admitted to the ICU but unfortunately passed away on February 20.

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Authorities have classified the case as custodial death due to the circumstances of the accused's death occurring while in police custody. The Crime Branch has seized CCTV footage from the location where the accused was initially assaulted. Moreover, statements from doctors confirmed that there were no visible signs of police brutality on the accused's body, though it was reported that he suffered renal failure.

The post-mortem report confirmed that the death was due to "evidence of cellulitis," and further details are awaited. The viscera of the deceased have been preserved, with histopathology results pending.

This incident raises significant concerns over police conduct and the conditions within custody, prompting calls for thorough investigations to ensure accountability and justice.