Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 5: Naveen Poojary (43), who was an undertrial prisoner at the district prison here, died on Tuesday June 4. Reportedly, he was ill since the last some days.

Naveen, a coolie by profession and a resident of Ashraya Colony in Kotekar Kumpala near here, was arrested by the policemen of Ullal station on the night of May 25, after finding him loitering at Thokkottu under circumstances which aroused suspicion about his motives. He was remanded in judicial custody after being produced in a court.

After Naveen complained of fever, he was subjected to malaria test at Wenlock Hospital here on June 1. The report was negative.

The next day, he was produced in the local court. He could not be granted bail, as no one had come forward for the same. On Tuesday morning, he was found to be very ill. He, however, breathed his last before he could be admitted into Wenlock Hospital, jail officials said.

Resident medical officer of Wenlock Hospital, Saroja, said that it is guessed that Naveen died of some illness, as there were no external wounds on his body when he was brought to the hospital. She added that the post mortem alone will be able to pinpoint the exact reason of his death, and that it will be held in the presence of the tahsildar, and that the entire process will be video graphed.

Naveen's family members said they were not aware that he was arrested. As Naveen, a liquor addict, remained away for days together on work, they said they had thought he was involved with some work. They claimed that they were informed of Naveen's arrest only after his death.