J&K schoolteacher arrested in terror case dies in custody

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 19

A schoolteacher, who was arrested in connection with a terror case, has died in police custody here, prompting the department to request for a magisterial inquiry, officials said on Tuesday.

Rizwan Pandit, 28, a resident of Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, died during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, a police officer said.

Pandit, who was a teacher at a private school, was picked up by the security agencies three days ago in connection with a terror case, the officer said.

The police department has requested a magisterial inquiry under Section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to ascertain the cause and circumstances leading to Pandit’s death, the officer said, adding that further details were awaited.

Meanwhile, NIA has denied reports linking it with Rizwan. He was neither called for questioning nor was he examined at any other location in connection with cases being investigated by NIA, the agency said in a statement. With PTI