Patna: A mob attacked a police station in Arwal district and set vehicles and a portion of the building on fire on Wednesday after a middle-aged man allegedly died in police custody.

The cops denied allegations of custodial torture and claimed that the man in question attempted to commit suicide in police lock-up and received injuries in the process. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died during treatment, according to the cops.

Babban Sah, (40) ,was picked up for interrogation from his native village Thakurbigha under the jurisdiction of Kaler police station in Arwal district, around 67km south-west of Patna, in connection with a criminal case in which his bail petition had been rejected.

The deceased's relatives alleged that Babban died due to police excesses in the lock-up. He was admitted to the hospital only when his condition deteriorated after being tortured in custody, relatives alleged.

As the news about Babban's death spread, residents of Thakurbiagha and its adjoining village assembled outside Kaler police station around 8.30am. The mob shouted anti-police slogans and later ransacked the police station.

The frenzied mob torched a police patrol vehicle parked on the premises and also tried to set the police station building on fire. Personnel posted at the police station ran for cover.

The mayhem continued for more than two hours, and the mob also ransacked private vehicles. The protesters also blocked the national highway 98 stretch connecting Arwal with Aurangabad and paralysed traffic for over five hours.

"The situation is at present under control," said Arwal superintendent of police (SP) Dilip Mishra. "The body of the victim will be handed over after post-mortem conducted under the supervision of a medical board."

The SP clarified that all the prescribed guidelines of the national human rights commission about custodial death will be followed. Hence, the post-mortem would be video-taped and a magistrate has been deputed by the district administration to probe the case.

SP Mishra claimed Babban had a criminal past. "At least six cases of loot, extortion and dacoity were lodged against him in Arwal district alone," the SP said.

He maintained that Babban committed suicide and was not harassed by the police.

Arwal sub-divisional officer Shailesh Kumar said that Kaler police station house officer Rituraj Singh had been suspended for dereliction of duty.