KARACHl: A man held for his alleged involvement in a motorbike theft case died in police custody under controversial circumstances on Friday, officials said.

While police claimed that suspect Sikandar Dawood died of natural causes, doctors at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) found `multiple injuries` on the body.

A police spokesperson stated that the Kalakot police arrested the suspect on March 12 and registered a case against him for stealing a motorcycle.

In a statement, the spokesperson said that the condition of the suspect deteriorated in the lock-up as he complained of breathing problem. He was taken to the CHK, where he `died due to lack of oxygen`.

Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed said 40-year-old Sikander Dawood, who was brought to the CHK by the Kalakot police on Thursday night, died during treatment at around 03:30am.

She said that a post-mortem examination was carried out after completing all legal formalities. `There were multiple injuries on his body,` the police surgeon said, adding that the cause of death was reserved till the receipt of chemical examination reports.

Meanwhile, relatives and area residents on Friday staged a protest in Kalakot against what they called the custodial murder of Sikandar. They burnt old tryes and demanded action against policemen.