A 28-year-old inmate died in custody at Kailali District Prison on Monday, prompting allegations of custodial torture by his kin, who have refused to accept the body.

Harish Singh Pali, from ward 5 of Bhageshwar Rural Municipality in Dadeldhura district, died shortly after being brought to Seti Provincial Hospital for treatment, according to police.

“He suddenly fell ill and died within half an hour of being taken to the hospital,” said Kailali District Police Office Spokesperson Raj Kumar Singh.

However, the deceased’s relatives claim he was tortured inside the prison. “There are bruises all over his body, and his head was bleeding,” said Jagadish Rawal. “We will not receive the body until there is a proper investigation.”

According to police, the Kailali District Court sentenced Pali to 10 days in jail and fined Rs200,000 on March 4 in a banking offence case. He was arrested on Saturday from Tufandanda in ward 5 of Amargadhi Municipality, Dadeldhura, and sent to prison the following day.

He died on his second day in custody. His body remains at Seti Provincial Hospital.