Pandesara custodial death: Family shouted for help but police didn’t listen

Surat: The death of a 30-year-old man on Wednesday in the lock-up of Pandesara police station exposes police apathy since two family members lodged with him had sought cops’ help at least five times in a period of 12 hours. Family of the deceased alleged that police heard their screams only after the victim had died.
Deceased Vinay Yadav, his father Tribhovan, 60, and elder brother Vinay, 34, a disabled person, were nabbed from Balaji Nagar and brought to Pandesara police station at around 7.30pm after a brawl with their neighbour. The neighbour called police and the trio was detained and put in the lock-up at around 8.30pm on Tuesday.
"I told police not to keep Vinay in lock-up as he had breathing problem but they didn’t listen. I kept shouting throughout the night whenever Vinay told me that he was feeling suffocated,” Tribhovan told TOI.
"There were about 15 other people in the 10ft by 10ft size lock-up. It was difficult for even me to breathe since I am an asthma patient,” he added.
Tribhovan and Vinay began to scream when Vimal fell unconscious at around 7.45am on Wednesday. "Whole night police did not come. They came because of our screams in the morning and smashed the lock-up grill. We supported Vimal to stand up but he collapsed. He was declared dead by the paramedic of 108 ambulance," said Tribhovan.
"Police at night asked for Rs2,000 to release us when our relatives came to get us out on bail. We refused to pay the money after which they put us in the lock-up," said Vimal.
"There are CCTV cameras in police station and the lock-up. We will examine the footages to check whether the cops had gone to help the family members of the deceased after hearing their screams in the night. If they did not take any action despite requests, it is a case of negligence on the part of cops and they will face action," said J K Pandya, assistant commissioner of police, F division. Pandya has been handed over inquiry in the case.