Lucknow, October 18
Family members have alleged foul play in the sudden custodial death of 43-year-old Ashutosh Asthana, the main accused in the mutli-crore Provident Fund (PF) scam reportedly involving several sitting and retired judges of the lower and higher judiciary.

The district authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of the jailed court staffer of the Ghaziabad courts. The DIG (Jail) has ordered a separate probe into the death of Ashutosh in Dasna Jail at Ghaziabad yesterday.

The cause of death could be ascertained only after the postmortem report is available, said police sources. However, if it is a case of poisoning, as alleged by the family, then a final word could be said only after the viscera report is available, said police sources. The viscera of Ashutosh have been preserved and would be sent for examination.

Ashutosh, who was the central nazir at the Ghaziabad district court and was the prime accused in the over Rs 23 crore scam, had been in jail since January 2008. Yesterday, he was found unconscious in cell 5-B barrack. Other criminals occupied the barrack as well. Ashutosh’s immediate neighbour inside the jail was Nithari killings’ accused Surendra Koli. According to jail authorities, Ashutosh had some visitors earlier in the day.

The jail authorities are claiming that the accused had suffered a massive heart attack as he was profusely sweating when he was rushed to the district government hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

However, the family members allege that someone poisoned him inside his cell, as according to them he was under constant threat due to high profile people involved in the case, but the district police ignored the threat.

Sources said ever since a magistrate had recorded Ashutosh’s statement last year, he had been under pressure to withdraw his statement.

The scam had come to light last year when some employees had lodged a complaint with the then vigilance officer (CBI judge) at Ghaziabad, Rama Jain, alleging illegal withdrawals of PF funds by employees using fake forms.

During preliminary investigation, Jain had found that some judges and employees of the Ghaziabad court were involved in the scam. The police had registered an FIR against Ashutosh and 82 others.

Later, on the directions of the Supreme Court, the state government had ordered a CBI probe into the scam.