Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Syed Nazer Ali (42), a key member of gangster Shaikh Imran Mehandi’s gang, died at the Govt Medical College and Hospital on Thursday after battling for his life for five days. His family has alleged that he died due to a drug overdose and demanded a high-level probe into the circumstances surrounding his death. The allegation of a drug overdose, however, is yet to be independently established.
He was examined by doctors, underwent dialysis and was later placed on ventilator support. He remained critical until his death. Nazer Ali, who was serving a life sentence at Harsul Central Prison, was admitted to GMCH on Sunday evening after his health suddenly deteriorated inside the jail.
“Doctors took him for dialysis again, but told us it could not be performed because his blood had thickened and coagulated,” one of his brothers said. Khamkar said the prison administration has not yet received any formal complaint regarding the family’s allegations. “Once we receive a written complaint, we will initiate an inquiry into it,” he said.
Shera, a convict and co-accused in cases linked to the Mehandi gang, died while undergoing treatment at GMCH. His family had also alleged foul play and sought a probe.
The death has revived memories of another controversial prison-linked fatality earlier this year. Family members said doctors made one final attempt to save him on Thursday morning.
Following his death, relatives demanded an independent investigation, alleging possible lapses and seeking clarity on the exact cause of his sudden deterioration. His death came days after Supreme Court suspended Mehandi’s life sentence in the Salim Qureshi murder case pending appeal. However, Mehandi, also known as Dilawar, remains behind bars as he has been convicted in another murder case and is facing trial in three others.