A day after a 22-year-old man arrested in a theft case died by suicide in police custody in Gurgaon, authorities have taken significant action, registering a murder case and transferring personnel. The incident, which has sparked protests and a judicial probe, occurred at the crime branch unit in Farrukhnagar.
Case Registered and Immediate Transfers
On Saturday, Gurgaon police registered a murder case against unidentified persons based on a complaint filed by the family of the deceased, identified as Asif, a resident of Rampura in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. Four police personnel from the Farrukhnagar crime branch have been transferred to the district police lines as an immediate administrative response.
Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar confirmed the registration of the case but noted that the family has not yet provided concrete evidence to support their allegations. Asif had been arrested on Friday by the crime branch team. A case was registered against him at Farrukhnagar police station under sections 305 (theft) and 331(4) (trespassing) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Sequence of Events and Family's Allegations
Asif allegedly hanged himself inside the police custody facility on Friday afternoon, just hours after his arrest. His family, however, gathered outside the Sector 14 mortuary on Saturday, protesting vehemently. They alleged that police had tortured Asif to death and demanded strict action against the involved officers.
Following hours of protest, the family agreed to take the body home after receiving assurances of a fair investigation. A judicial inquiry into the incident was ordered on Friday itself. An autopsy was conducted on Saturday in the presence of a judicial magistrate.
Police Version and Pending Reports
Senior police officials have denied any custodial torture. One officer stated that Asif was served tea and provided with a quilt after his arrest. The officer claimed that Asif used the quilt cover to hang himself when the constable watching over him briefly went to the washroom. The officer emphasized that Asif had been in custody for only a few hours.
Preliminary observations indicate death by hanging, with no other injury marks found on the body. However, investigating officials are awaiting crucial forensic reports to rule out any foul play definitively. These include the ligature material report, the viscera analysis, and the detailed crime scene report.
Criminal Record and Ongoing Probe
Police records reveal that Asif had a significant criminal history. Between 2022 and 2025, eight criminal cases were registered against him—one in Delhi, three in Faridabad, and four in Gurgaon. He had been convicted by courts in four of these cases.
The situation remains tense as the judicial inquiry proceeds. The registration of the murder case and the transfer of officers mark the first formal steps in addressing the serious allegations, while authorities await scientific evidence to determine the exact circumstances leading to the young man's death in custody.
