Angry villagers in Dholahat of South 24-Parganas fought a pitched battle with police after a youth, who was allegedly arrested by police on charges of theft, died a few days after he was released on bail.

Family members of Abu Siddique Halder, 34, a resident of Ghatmukultala area, alleged that cops had been brutally beaten up the youth while he was in custody.

Police and local sources said on June 30, Abu was arrested on charge of theft of gold ornaments on the basis a complaint by his uncle.

Family members alleged that the deceased youth was not shown arrested and tortured in custody until July 4, when he was produced before ACJM court in Kakdwip with multiple injuries and granted bail.

Refuting the allegations, a police officer said: "Family members are peddling lies. The youth was picked up on July 3 and produced in the court a day later. After he was released on bail, he stayed at home for a few days before getting hospitalised for treatment. He was not tortured."

The next day, he fell ill and had to be admitted first to Mathurapur block hospital. He was soon shifted to Diamond Harbour medical college hospital. But since his condition began deteriorating fast, he was transferred to Chittaranjan Medical College Hospital. But with no improvement in his health condition, family members again shifted him to a private hospital near Park Circus, where he succumbed on Monday night.

Abdul Halim Molla, a family member, said: "Abu was tortured and confess a crime he did not commit. We found multiple injuries all over the bodies as mark of brutal police torture. He fell ill a little after returned home on bail and died after fighting for life for last eight days."

After the news of his death reach the village, residents, mostly women, hit the strets in anger. Armed with brooms and sandals, a large number of women attacked the cops while trying to enter the police station.

A large number of police personnel had to be deployed to control the situation.

The family members demanded punishment for one sub-inspector and three other cops attached to Dholahat police station.

A complaint has also been submitted by the deceased youth's family to the superintendent of police, Sunderbans police district.

Superintendent of police, Sunderbans, P.D. Koteswar Rao said: "There was no visible illness when the accused was produced before the court. However, on the basis of the complaint by the family of the deceased, a departmental inquiry has been initiated."