Flower vendor Arun who reportedly died in police custody was an alcoholic andu00a0 a drug addict, said police commissioner S M Bidari.

"At times he used to behave in an insane manner. He was earlier booked for murdering his wife over dowry in 2007. A case has been registered against him in JC Nagar," he added.

Arun was arrested by Frazer Town police on the charges of attacking a person with a knife in a drunken brawl.u00a0 He found dead in police custody on Wednesday night.

Preliminary inquiries so far revealed that while the police officer on duty went to the scene of the crime to conduct a spot inspection, Arun developed health complications and fell down.

He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared brought dead on arrival.

Bidari warning

"We are waiting for the post-mortem report and will follow the investigations procedure according to the National Human Rights Commission guidelines," Bidari said.

He also added that he would initiate disciplinary action against the officers concerned if they were found guilty.

Bidari said that the case would be handed over to the Corps of Detectives. He has also directed the deputy commissioner of police (east) to conduct a probe and report to him within three days.