Rajkot: A week after the demise of Gopal Rathod, allegedly due to custodial torture, his friend Raju also passed away on Wednesday, allegedly from injuries sustained while in police custody at Malaviyanagar police station on April 14.

The deceased, Raju, alias Rajesh Solanki (40), a resident of Khodiyarnagar in Rajkot city, was apprehended by a team from the Malaviyanagar police station late on the night of April 14 after a dispute with his neighbors. Rathod was also picked up at that time after attempting to mediate in the altercation.

Later, when Rathod’s family alleged death due to torture in police custody, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashwin Kangad, affiliated with the Malaviyanagar police station, was apprehended on Monday.

Now, Solanki’s family also alleges that he was mistreated by the police prior to being released on bail. “My father was taken to Malaviyanagar police station and subjected to severe beating, particularly in the thigh,” said Jayesh, Solanki’s son.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Radhika Bharai stated that the individual was detained on April 14 and released on bail the next day. However, his health deteriorated three days ago and he was admitted to the hospital, where he passed away on Wednesday. Bharai added that a forensic medicine team from Rajkot Civil Hospital would conduct a postmortem examination. In response to protests from Solanki’s relatives and Dalits, demanding an IPS officer lead the investigation, Bharai assured that the grievances would be addressed, and appropriate actions taken. DeshGujarat