Eight police personnel have been suspended after an alleged auto thief died in police custody here in Uttar Pradesh, police said Saturday.

A departmental inquiry has been ordered against all eight following the death of Mohammad Shakeel Friday night, Senior Superintendent of Police Nitin Tiwari said.

The death, which the victim's father alleged occurred due to torture, took place at the Kavi Nagar police station, according to one account.

Police sources, however, said that Shakeel, of Dasna in Ghaziabad, succumbed to injuries sustained earlier while being treated at a hospital in Ghaziabad.

Police said after he confessed to stealing some vehicles, it was decided to take Shakeel to Ferozabad to recover the vehicles. On the way, he reportedly complained of chest pain and vomitted.

He died while being taken to a hospital in Delhi.

Shakeel's father Mohammad Khaleel accused police of torturing the victim for two days and of taking away his mobile phone and Rs.61,000 in cash.

On a complaint by the father, a case was registered against the eight police personnel who have been suspended.