LUCKNOW, Oct. 21 -- A key accused in the multi-crore pension scam in Chitrakoot, Sandeep Kumar Srivastava, who was an employee of Chitrakoot treasury, died under mysterious circumstances on Sunday night after being taken into police custody for interrogation in the matter, confirmed senior police officials on Tuesday.

They said he was accused of irregularity in issuing pensions worth Rs.42.04 crore from the district treasury between August 30, 2018 and October 6, 2025.

The family of the deceased has alleged that he died due to police brutality during interrogation.

Sandeep's brother, Sachin Srivastava, said that he was taken into custody on October 18 along with other accused, including Awadhesh Pratap Singh, Vikash Singh Sachan, and A...