Death of mentally challenged man to be probed

An inquiry has been ordered into the death of a mentally challenged man who allegedly succumbed to injuries caused by torture inflicted on him by police, who had released him after detaining him for a day.

The family members, with the help of the South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring, an NGO, filed a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission on Friday, accusing the Ulsoor police of illegal detention and custodial torture leading to the death of their kin. According to the complaint, Andrew Carroll, a resident of Austin town and a psychiatric patient, was picked up by Ulsoor police on January 12 for questioning. While the family was searching for him, Emile Carroll, father of Andrew received a call from Ulsoor police asking him to come to the police station. Emile went to the police station along with a local pastor and found Andrew there. The police allegedly refused to give any explanation about his detention, but asked Emile to take his son with him. After they reached home, Andrew complained of severe pain in the body. So, he was admitted to St. John’s Hospital. “The doctor, who examined Andrew, found bruises all over his body and Andrew admitted that he had been beaten up by the police,” the complaint states.

As it was a medico-legal case, the hospital authorities informed the police and started the treatment. Tests showed that Andrew had renal failure. Then he was put on a ventilator, and he died on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Satish Kumar told

The Hindu that he had ordered an inquiry into the incident by the sub-divisional assistant commissioner of police. Sources say that Andrew was picked up by police for creating ruckus at a hotel in Ulsoor. Hospital records state that he was admitted to the hospital four days after the incident, and that he was injured in a road accident, a senior official said.

Family of Andrew Carroll alleges that he died of injuries inflicted on him

by police