Italy Orders Probe as Punjabi Man Dies in Custody Following Sexual Assault Complaint
The death of a 23-year-old Punjabi man in police custody in Italy on June 23 has left his family in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, seeking answers. Italian authorities have ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The deceased, Sukhwinder Singh alias Sonu, a resident of Miani village, was arrested by Italian police on June 21 after three minor girls accused him of inappropriate behaviour at Tibidabo Water Park, near Brescia. Sukhwinder had lived in Italy for five years, working as an agricultural labourer, and was reportedly in the process of regularising his stay.
The family learned of his death through an official communication in Italian, which they could not understand. A local youth used an AI-based translation tool to convert the document into Punjabi, revealing that Sukhwinder had died while in custody.
Italian authorities stated that after his arrest, a court recorded the statements of the minor girls and held him responsible for sexual harassment-related allegations, ordering him to be sent to jail. Officials informed the family that Sukhwinder had no previous criminal record in Italy and had applied for political asylum.
Sukhwinder's family has strongly disputed the allegations. His sister, Amandeep Kaur, said her brother spoke to them shortly before his arrest and described a different version of events. According to her, Sukhwinder said his hand accidentally brushed against one of the girls while passing through the water park. An argument followed, and police were called. 'He repeatedly told us that he had done nothing wrong and that the allegations were false,' Amandeep said.
According to information from Italy, Sukhwinder was lodged in jail after being produced before a court on June 21. He complained of feeling unwell inside the prison, and authorities shifted him to another cell. He died on June 23, the third day of his arrest. The family was officially informed of his death on June 24.
Amandeep said the family believes the young man could not bear the emotional stress caused by the allegations. However, the exact cause of death has not yet been officially established.
Following the custodial death, senior Italian police officials have initiated an investigation. The Brescia Prosecutor's Office has ordered a post-mortem examination, and a special inquiry committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances leading to the death and determine whether any lapses occurred during detention. Authorities are expected to rely on forensic findings, prison records, and other evidence to establish the facts.
