Patna, Sep 16 (IANS): A 22-year-old man suspected to be a thief died in police custody in Bihar's Siwan district early Friday allegedly after being beaten and tortured, an officer said.

The death of Govind Rajdhar in police custody triggered street protests, as people blocked roads and demanded the arrest of the police officers involved.

Govind had been held on suspicion of involvement in a theft Wednesday and taken to the police station in Siwan town, about 200 km from here.

"During interrogation, police badly beat him up and tortured him, he succumbed to internal injuries," a family member alleged.

Govind's family has approached district officials, alleging he died of torture. They said he was not involved in any crime.

"He was suddenly rushed to a hospital but declared brought dead by doctors," a district official said.

An autopsy is yet to be conducted.

"If there is any atrocity, it will be known only after we get the postmortem report. A judicial magistrate will investigate the death," the officer said.