KANNUR: An autorickshaw driver, who was taken into police custody after being seen in a suspicious condition, collapsed and died at Kannur Town station. The deceased has been identified as Suraj (47), of Kadiyath House in Arayambeth in Chirakkal. He was rushed to the district hospital but his life could not be saved.

Suraj was taken into custody by the town police from Edachery on Friday night. Due to suspicion, the locals restrained him and informed the police.

The police said that he was drunk when he was taken into custody. Suraj collapsed within half an hour of reaching the station.

There is allegation the procedure of doing medical examination before the patient should be brought to the station was not followed in this case. Relatives said that Suraj, who underwent angioplasty surgery twice due to a heart ailment, was undergoing further treatment. The man returned home last day after treatment at Pariyaram Medical College.

He is the son of Balakrishnan and Kanchana of Kadiyath House. Siblings: Surabha and Sunoja.