Mangaluru:  Rajesh, (30), who was allegedly caught red-handed stealing iron, died in custody of Mangaluru North Police on Friday.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police N Shashi Kumar said that the police on patrol duty witnessed two youths reportedly stealing iron rods belonging to Smart City project at Ambedkar Circle. Police arrested the duo along with the stolen iron rods in the wee hours on Friday.

The arrested youths were taken to Bunder (Mangaluru North) Station and were given food in the morning and noon. Rajesh from Urva market complained of chest pain and excessive sweating at 3.20 pm. The police rushed him to Wenlock Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The family was informed about Rajesh’s death. The family and community leaders have urged the police to conduct an impartial inquiry to ascertain the cause of death.

Accordingly a complaint was registered and the case was entrusted to North ACP Mahesh Kumar. A panel of doctors will conduct the post mortem, which will be video documented as part of the procedure. A magisterial inquest will be held. Since it was a death in police custody the case will be handed over to the CID, the Commissioner added.