In what may act as a strong deterrent against brutal custodial tortures, a sub-inspector of the Chandigarh Police was sentenced to seven years in jail with a fine of Rs 20,000 by a district court on Monday.

Sub-inspector Narinder Singh was found guilty of the custodial death of a 21-year-old youth by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge on November 6. The quantum of sentence was pronounced today.

Before the verdict was declared, the defence lawyer requested ADSJ Raj Rahul Garg to show leniency in the case as the convict had an ailing wife and two sons to feed, while the conviction had cost him his current job.

The quantum of sentence includes seven years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 304 (Part II) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and two years under Section 218 of the IPC for framing incorrect records.

The sub-inspector was posted at the Manimajra police station when area resident Anil Kumar died in police custody in July 2007. Narinder was booked on August 10, 2007, for keeping the deceased in the lock-up illegally and his subsequent death.

As per the case history, the youth was spotted by a woman resident in Manimajra while loitering aimlessly in a suspicious manner. She informed the police and Anil was picked up by the police and thrashed thereafter.

Anil later died mysteriously and his uncle alleged that the death was caused by brutal torture at the hands of the S-I. The police, however, said the youth had reportedly jumped off the second floor of the police station.