Iqbal Toofany case: His family claim Rs 25 million damages from the State

The widow and three daughters of late Iqbal Toofany – who died while in police custody – are demanding the sum of Rs25 million to the State and five policemen. This was announced by their lawyer Rama Valayden on Thursday. “We served a notice to the State. A judicial inquiry was instituted following the death of Iqbal Toofany. The investigation concluded there was a ‘foul play’ in this case,” said Rama Valayden. Iqbal Toofany, inhabitant of Vacoas aged 42, was arrested by an ERS patrol in front of La Balise Marina. He was driving a white Toyota Vitz where police found various tools and three mobile phones. He was later sent to the criminal police (CID) of Rivière Noire for further investigation. However he died on March 2, 2015 at Victoria Hospital while he was in police custody. His relatives suspect he was victim of police brutality. The head of the forensic service, Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, said the victim did not die from a natural death. He noted 14 injuries on the victim’s body. Toofany died from a “pulmonary oedema caused by hypovolemic shock following soft tissues injuries.” Five policemen were arrested and released on bail in the case. They were provisionally charged with manslaughter.