An accused in a journalist’s murder, who attempted suicide while in the CBI’s custody last week, died at a government hospital here on Monday, police said.
Shiv Kumar Vaishnav, admitted to Dr B R Ambedkar Memorial Hospital on September 29 after he attempted suicide in CBI custody, died today, Raipur Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Shukla told PTI.
Vaishnav and Vikas Bansal, both residents of Gariaband district, were arrested by CBI last week in connection with the murder of Umesh Rajput, who worked for a Hindi daily, on January 23, 2011.
Rajput had been shot dead by two masked men at his native place Chhura near Gariaband, about 120 km away from here.
Vaishnav and Bansal were brought to Raipur on remand by CBI and kept at Police Transit Mess here.
On the morning of September 29, Vaishnav went to the washroom and tried to hang himself from its ceiling, the SP said.
The officials realised that he was taking too long, and broke the door and rescued him. He was then taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the victim today claimed that CBI tortured Vaishnav which forced him to take the drastic step.