Autopsy points to epileptic seizure in death of detainee at Parika lock-ups

An autopsy conducted yesterday on the body of Zaharudeen Rozan, a detainee who died in the lock-ups at the Parika Police Station, has found evidence that he suffered an epileptic seizure, police said yesterday.

Rozan, 38, of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, was arrested on Tuesday evening after he allegedly damaged a neighbour’s fence.

Zaharudeen Rozan
Zaharudeen Rozan05

Police have claimed that the man died after banging his head against the concrete wall.

According to a statement yesterday, a post-mortem examination (PME) was conducted by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh and the cause of death was given as blunt trauma to the head, brain haemorrhage, and hyperextension which, “as explained by the Pathologist, were consistent with an epileptic seizure.

There were also bite marks on his tongue.”

Police added that following the autopsy, the cause of death was explained by Dr. Singh to the lawyer retained by relatives.

Rozan’s family has questioned the circumstances under which he died, with his father, Abdul Majeed, saying he saw marks of violence about his son’s body. Majeed said his son served for 10 years as a rural constable and had always been active.