Mangalore, June 8, 2013: Yuvaraj Jain, General Secretary of Human Rights and Anti Harassment Organisation has demanded a thorough probe into the recent case of the death of Naveen Poojari (43), an under trial in the Mangalore prison.
Speaking to reporters at the Press Club on June 8, Saturday, he alleged that Naveen of Jeppu who was arrested by the police in May for roaming in Thokkottu in a drunken state, died in the prison due to negligence of the police.
Jain said that Naveen who was suffering from high fever had been taken to Wenlock Hospital for treatment on June 1 and the blood test was done on June 2. His blood test report was negative and he was taken to the court on June 3 and his judicial custody period was extended, Jain said.The same night at 12.30 he again developed high fever and though was rushed to Wenlock Hospital, he was declared as dead by the doctors, Jain further added.
Jain further said the police did not bother to intimate Naveen’s ailing parents and other family members about his death in custody and that they came to know of it through the media.
He said Naveen’s family had approached his organization seeking justice. He also deplored the failure of the local elected representatives as well as ministers from the district for not meeting the bereaved family and also for not announcing compensation.
Naveen’s sister Kusuma said that they have submitted memoranda to IGP Western Range Prathap Reddy and Home Minister K J George seeking a thorough probe into the case of Naveen’s death.
Thahir Samar, Harish Shetty and Abhinandan Ballal of Human Rights organization were present.