A 32-year-old Nigerian national, Christian Promise, has died while in police custody in India, prompting a court-ordered investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest and death.
Promise, who was in India on a student visa, was arrested on Sunday in Rajouri Garden, an area of West Delhi, after allegedly riding his scooter against traffic.
According to a police officer quoted by local media, Promise reportedly collided with a police motorcycle, fell to the ground, and sustained injuries.
The officer said he attempted to flee on foot, fell again, and was subsequently apprehended by a team of five officers.
Police said that while being transported to the Special Staff office, Promise complained of feeling unwell.
READ ALSO: Ndume Calls for Withdrawal of Police from National Assembly
He was later taken to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
"While being taken to the Special Staff office, he complained of uneasiness. He was later taken to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, where doctors declared him dead," the officers said.
Following the incident, a magistrate court in New Delhi ordered an investigation into the death to determine the exact sequence of events and whether due procedures were followed.
Police authorities said a post-mortem examination would only be conducted after consent is obtained from Promise’s relatives or through the Nigerian Embassy.