Jaipur: A 16-year-old boy from Madhya Pradesh died during treatment at SMS Hospital early Monday, nearly two weeks after being hospitalised with injuries. His family alleged he was tortured by police, a charge denied by Muhana police.The deceased, Rituraj, was a native of Manchal Khurd in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district.His mother, Hema, alleged the ordeal began on Sept 17 when her husband, Prakash, a welder working in Dubai, returned to India and Rituraj travelled from Mandsaur to receive him at Jaipur airport. “From the airport, however, my husband and others were forcibly taken to a hotel by some policemen in plainclothes. My son was also called there later. He was badly beaten because of which he suffered fractures and serious injuries,” she alleged.Advocate Somraj Panwar, associated with the family, said they have demanded a judicial inquiry, suspension of the policemen allegedly involved, compensation of Rs 1 crore and a videographed post-mortem by a medical board.Muhana police station SHO Mukesh Khardiya disputed the allegations, saying Rituraj was brought to the police station by persons from whom he had allegedly taken money against promises to supply cheap gold. “He was already unwell when brought to the police station and vomited here. He was subsequently taken to a private hospital and later referred to SMS Hospital,” Khardiya said.Hema said Rituraj was admitted to a private hospital in Muhana area on Sept 22 and later shifted to SMS Hospital, where he died around 3 am Monday.The SHO said the family had lodged an FIR on Sept 23 against four to five persons alleging Prakash was taken to a hotel and Rituraj was later called there and assaulted by “4 to 5 persons.” “That FIR contains no allegation against policemen. Even today (Monday), we received no written complaint alleging custodial assault. If one is submitted, it will be investigated,” Khardiya said.
