Tragic Death of Man in Police Custody Sparks Concerns in Navi Mumbai

The recent death of Sanjay Kantu Yadav in police custody in Navi Mumbai has raised serious concerns about police practices in the region. Yadav, who was arrested in connection with an ongoing case, exhibited signs of distress while in custody and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. This incident follows a similar case involving another individual who died while in the custody of the Railway Protection Force. Investigations are underway, and the community is calling for accountability and transparency in such cases.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 8, 2026, 14:28 IST

Incident Overview

Navi Mumbai, Oct 8: A 38-year-old individual named Sanjay Kantu Yadav has tragically passed away while in police custody in Navi Mumbai. Yadav was apprehended by the Navi Mumbai International Airport Police as part of an ongoing investigation. Originally hailing from Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh, he resided in Ananta Tower, Ulwe Sector 6. Following his arrest, he was placed in police custody by a court order.

Circumstances of Death

On October 8, Yadav was held at the NRI Sagari Police Station lock-up. Staff members observed him exhibiting signs of distress, including clenching his fists and flexing his limbs. As his condition worsened, police personnel promptly transported him to Meenatai Thackeray Hospital in Nerul, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Medical History

Prior to his arrest, Yadav had undergone a medical check-up at Panvel Rural Hospital, where he reported no health issues. He was also presented before the court without any complaints of illness, and a medical examination conducted on October 6 showed no signs of health problems.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have notified senior police officials regarding this incident. An inquest report is currently being compiled through videography, overseen by the Belapur First Class Judicial Magistrate, along with panch witnesses and family members of the deceased.

The body is scheduled for a post-mortem examination at J.J. Hospital in Mumbai, and further legal actions are in progress.

Previous Incidents

This incident is not isolated, as Maharashtra has witnessed similar occurrences in the past. For instance, on September 22, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) was probing the death of a 35-year-old man who died while in the custody of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.

The deceased, identified as Imran Shaikh, had traveled from Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh seeking employment. Reports indicate that he had approached the RPF post at CSMT on September 20, inquiring about trains to Khandwa. Witnesses noted that he seemed distressed, claiming threats to his life, and later became aggressive, injuring both himself and an RPF Sub-Inspector.