Private school principal, guest lecturer of IUST die in alleged custody

Srinagar, Mar 19: Principal of a private school Rizwan Asad Pandit, who was previously associated with Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) as guest lecturer, allegedly died in the custody of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police in the wee hours of Tuesday, official sources said.

Meanwhile, has also ordered a probe into the death of Rizwan, who was teaching Chemistry in Government polytechnic of IUST last year. The university has postponed all scheduled semester examination today.

Sources said Rizwan, who was also running a tuition centre, was picked up last year and released later.
However, it is alleged that he was picked up by National Investigation Agency (NIA) few days ago from his Awantipora residence and later lodged in SOG camp at Cargo in Srinagar.

Rizwan died in custody in the wee hours.

The cause of his death was not immediately known, the sources said, adding that magisterial inquiry has been demanded to ascertain the actual cause of his death.

Meanwhile, as the news spread Awantipora, on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, shopkeepers started closing their establishments.

Additional security forces have been deployed to prevent demonstrations, eyewitnesses said, adding that the situation is very tense.