A 28-year-old inmate named Bunty died in police custody in Patiala, Punjab, on Thursday, raising serious concerns about custodial practices. Bunty was an undertrial in a drug case dating back to 2022. He had been brought to the Tripuri police station for interrogation when he reportedly complained of chest pain. Initially taken to a private hospital run by an Ayurveda doctor, he was later transferred to Rajindra Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. A senior police official confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is ongoing. While officials claim that Bunty suffered a heart attack, the post-mortem report has yet to be released. This incident adds to the troubling statistic of 14 custodial deaths in Punjab this year, which accounts for 8.23% of the 170 custodial deaths reported across India between January 1 and March 15, 2026.