3 die in Agra civil courts after eating pesticide-laced food

According to sources, Dinesh Chand, along with his two sons, Yogendra and Vishal, was in jail in connection with a property dispute with his elder brother, Suresh Chand, for the past one month.

On Friday, all three were brought to the civil courts and kept in court lockup where they reportedly had food brought by Suresh Chand who had come to see them. They fell unconscious and were rushed to S N Medical College where Yogendra was pronounced dead after brief treatment. Dinesh and Vishal succumbed Saturday morning.

Before dying, Vishal is learnt to have recorded a statement that Suresh Chand had come to meet them in lockup and wanted to strike a compromise in the property dispute.  After talking for some time, they allegedly had food brought by Suresh Chand and began feeling sick.

Senior Superintendent of Police Agra Shalabh Mathur said the case is being investigated and action will be taken against police personnel found guilty of negligence. Doctors at the S N Medical College said prima facie, it looked like a case of poisoning by sulphas, a pesticide commonly used by farmers.