Magisterial probe initiated into custodial death in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — A magisterial probe was ordered on Wednesday into the alleged custodial death of a youth in J&K’s Pulwama district, officials said.

A top police officer quoted by the local news agency KDC said that Imtiaz Ahmed Pala, son of Gul Mohammed Pala, a resident of Lidermund Bra-Vandana, who was facing charges under FIR No. 42/2024 for violations of Section 8, 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, was reported to have developed severe health complications during his detention at the Litter Police Station.

The officer claimed that Pala’s condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting them to shift him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.

The body of the youth has been handed over to the family for last rites, the police said.

However, Pala’s family vehemently disputes the police account, alleging that he was picked and then ‘‘killed’’. They are demanding an impartial and thorough probe into the incident.

The family of the youth alleged that he had been picked up during a cordon and search operation and was tortured during interrogation. Following the allegations, a magisterial probe has been ordered to ascertain the circumstances which led to the youth’s death.