Indian detained at US airport dies in custody

Washington: A 58-year-old Indian man died in Atlanta in the US after he was detained by US Customs for not possessing necessary immigration papers.

Atul Kumar Babubhai Patel, taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, died due to congestive heart failure on Wednesday, the American Bazaar Online reported on Friday.

Patel landed at Atlanta airport on May 10 from Ecuador.

After his detention, Patel was shifted to the Atlanta City Detention Centre where he received an initial medical screening and was identified to have high blood pressure and diabetes, according to an ICE statement.

On May 13, two days after being in ICE custody, a nurse checking Patel's blood sugar noticed he had a breathing problem following which he was shifted to a hospital where he passed away, said the report.

According to the ICE, the agency followed all protocols and all appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies were notified about the death.

The agency said it also informed the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility about the incident.

Patel is the eighth detainee to die in ICE custody in this fiscal year.

ICE officials informed the Indian consular representatives, who notified Patel's family about his death, the report said.