Theft suspect dies in police custody

Khammam: The relatives of a suspect in electric transformers and copper wire theft case, who died in police custody, staged a demonstration in front of Errupalem police station in Khammam district on Saturday demanding action against the police personnel responsible for his death and Rs one lakh compensation for his family. According to the police, some farmers complained that a gang was taking away transformers and copper wire from their fields. After investigation, the police took four persons from G Kondur village in Krishna district to the Errupalem police station in Khammam district for questioning. One of the suspects, Mareswara Rao had an epileptic attack when the police started questioning him intensively. Panicked police called his wife on phone and enquired about her husband's health condition. After first aid, they took him to the local doctor and decided to shift him to Khammam on his advice. He died while on the way to Khammam. The relatives of the deceased alleged that Mareswara Rao died due to third degree methods used by the police.