KARACHI, Feb 3: A 35-year-old under trial prisoner, Basant Ali Chandio, arrested two weeks ago, died on Saturday in Landhi jail. His family alleged he died due to severe torture in custody.

The jail authorities shifted the body to the Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre where his relatives and neighbours had gathered to protest against his death.

Gadap police said they arrested Chandio and two other persons under Section 380/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on January 19 on the complaint of Pervaiz Rafi, owner of Danish Farm House, for stealing electric cable after they were caught redhanded. The three men were remanded to police investigation for seven days.

The jail authorities said Chandio was remanded to their custody on January 26. He complained of pain and was admitted to the jail hospital.

Jail doctor, Manzoor Memon, said the suspect came to him on February 1 and complained of a pain in his chest, knees and back and was admitted in the jail hospital against his wishes and was recovering. However, his condition deteriorated around 9am and he died. The victim’s brother, Jan Mohammed, claimed Basant Chandio was tortured to death during custody. “Basant was arrested by Gadap police in a false case. He had eight children and was a labourer with no criminal record. “The jail officials asked me to pay Rs100,000 or he would be tortured to death”, he claimed.