Lucknow, Apr 18 (IANS): Six policemen, including an inspector were suspended in Uttar Pradesh after a man facing charges for running an illegal arms racket died in a police station here, officials said Thursday.

Virendra Mishra,28, was picked up by the Hasanganj police at around 5 p.m. Wednesday for being part of the racket, and a country made weapon was also recovered from him.

He was allegedly beaten up by the police in the lock-up after which he hanged himself with a piece of blanket.

The matter came to light mid-night when relatives of Mishra brought people from the media to the police station, suspecting foul play, as they were not allowed to serve him home food to him.

Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) J. Ravindra Gaud suspended six policemen, including station in-charge of the Hasanganj police station, Javed Khan, a sub-inspector and four other constables.

A probe has also been ordered into the matter and the SSP said: "Anyone found guilty in the matter would not be spared".