A 30-year-old undertrial died at Parappana Agrahara on Tuesday night. The deceased Muniraju was arrested by Excise officials from near Meenakunte on April 5 for selling arrack.
Muniraju, who hailed from Chennahalli village, had bought 10 bottles of arrack from a wine shop in Meenakunte. He was arrested on his way to a brick factory where he was to distribute the bottles among workers.
On Tuesday, when his family members tried to visit him, authorities denied permission saying Muniraju was asleep. Later that night, they were informed that Muniraju was admitted to Victoria Hospital.
However, when family members visited the hospital, they could not find him and returned to the jail. It was then that they were told that Muniraju had died.
The family members have alleged that Muniraju was tortured in police custody, resulting in his death.
However, police officials claim that Muniraju was an alcoholic and experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, for which he was admitted to the jail hospital, where he succumbed.
Since he died in judicial custody, a detailed enquiry will be conducted. A judge visited the hospital and questioned police officials, hospital authorities and the family members.
An autopsy will be conducted on Thursday, following which the body will be handed over to the family, police said. Muniraju is survived by his wife and two children — an eight-year-old differently-abled boy and 10-year old daughter — and parents.