Lokshahi Hakk Sanghatana activist Anthony Swamy told mediapersons today that Nadar was tortured between between October 16 and 18 after which he died at KEM Hospital four days later.

A post-mortem revealed that his brain was missing and there were multiple injuries on his wrist, neck, elbow, arms and feet. Also, there were injuries on his neck, believed to have been caused by hanging him through a tyre, Swamy alleged.

While Nadar was arrested on October 13, he was produced before the Bhoiwada court only two days later. He was tortured even after the stolen goods were recovered, the activists claim.

The incident took place on October 11, when sewing machinery and 40,000 meters of cloth worth Rs 7.5 lakh were reported missing from the manufacturing unit-cum-godown ofFabrico Exports located near Dhan Apartments at Worli Hill Estate. Nadar was employed as a pattern designer there.

``Nadar was found in serious condition by his brother Shridar on October 17. He was unable to speak, recognise people or defecate,'' Swamy pointed out. ``This was done by 3rd degree methods to circumvent the law,'' he added.

However, according to Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region) K L Prasad, the accused was interrogated after October 15 because only 75 per cent of the stolen goods were recovered before that. He claimed that police were trying to unearth the remaining items, which were allegedly stolen at Nadar's behest.

The remand application was moved before the Bhoiwada court and he was remanded to further police custody till October 22. Also, nowhere in the bail application did Nadar's advocate allege that his client was tortured or 3rd degree methods used.

In fact, the accused had sought the court's permission to be released on bail so that he could be treated at aprivate hospital. He was admitted to hospital no less than four times, Prasad remarked.

``Regarding why he was not produced before the magistrate till October 15 when he was arrested two days earlier, he said he was detained and not arrested on October 13 as has been alleged,'' Prasad pointed out.