PHIDIM: Police has detained four persons of Prangbung VDC-4 in connection theft and loot in the village. However, one of the detainees has died mysteriously in custody.

Dal Bahadur Gyangmi Magar (42) of Prangbung-4 has died. Police had detained Dal Bahadur, his two sons Bikram and Dil Bahadur and Dipendra Lungeli on February 8 for their alleged involvement in robbery at the house of Aitasingh Tamang of Prangbung-3.

According to Sunil Dahal, Police Inspector, District Police Office, Dal Bahadur had fainted in course of investigation. Dahal added, "He died in course of treatment."

However, his relative Dal Bahadur claimed that he had died as the locals had beat him black and blue before handing over to the police. The police also tortured him in custody, they added. Autopsy of the dead body is yet to be performed. The dead body was brought to the district headquarters yesterday night as the relatives refused to take the dead body. The kin said that they would not take the dead body until the administration owned up the murder as police personnel were also involved in thrashing him.

Meanwhile, police said that they have been investigating the robbery case, though. The detained persons, however, have admitted that they were involved in various lootings and thefts in the area, the police added.