A Dalit undertrial prisoner from Bavupet of Karimnagar died while undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Karimnagar district headquarters on Thursday night.
Family members of the deceased held a protest on Friday alleging that K Venkatesh (26) succumbed to his injuries due to torture by police while in custody.
The deceased was an accused in five theft cases in Gambiraopet of adjourning Rajanna-Siricilla district, following which police arrested and produced him before the court on June 13.
He was subsequently remanded in judicial custody and sent to jail, according to reports.
Venkatesh was admitted to hospital on July 26, after his health deteriorated.
Karimnagar RDO Raja Goud has launched an inquiry into his death and stated that authorities will await his post-mortem report, DC reported.
Venkatesh belongs to a marginalised Dalit community called Budiga Jangalu.
Police have claimed that Venkatesh was suffering from jaundice, Telanagana Today reported.
Venkatesh’s wife, Renuka, who held protests along with her family members at the hospital premises said, "I have been to Yellareddy police station several times asking my husband whereabouts and asked them to show him to me, but he (police officer) said we haven't brought him. They had forced him to confess in gold theft case, he (husband) told me that they gave him current shocks in ears to confess it," ETV reported.
Just recently, eight Dalit victims who were allegedly brutally tortured by police on charges of vandalism in Nerella on July 2, had secured bail.
The entire controversy was triggered after a sand lorry hit and killed B Bhudaiah of Nerella village on July 2. This death had sparked massive anger, as this was the fourth such death from nearby villages.
After the incident, police detained eight villagers (Dalits) from Nerella of Rajanna-Siricilla district for allegedly torching a sand-laden truck.