MUMBAI, Dec 31: Harshad “Big Bull” Mehta, the alleged kingpin behind one of India’s largest stock market scams, died on Monday of a heart attack while in police custody, police officials said.

Mehta was being held in a jail in Thane, neighbouring Mumbai, when he started complaining of chest pains late on Sunday night, said police spokesman Govind Shevkar.

“He was rushed to hospital where he died of a heart attack shortly after midnight,” Shevkar said.

Mehta was the alleged mastermind behind a 1992 scam which pulled the market into a steep dive following one of its strongest bull runs.

The controversial stockbroker was banned from operating in the financial markets for life in April.—AFP