The Thane crime branch has launched an enquiry into the mysterious death of a Vasai-based schizophrenic man, whose relatives had alleged that he was brutally assaulted by staff at the Regional Mental Hospital (RMH), Thane, where he was admitted in February. The relatives also claimed they had to cough up Rs 8,200 to admit him to RMH on February 7.

On February 25, mid-day published an article about the man’s mysterious death and how the staffers allegedly forced his family to pay a bribe for his admission to RMH. This prompted reporters of mid-day to go undercover and expose the rampant corruption at RMH, where one can lock-up anyone as mad for a paltry sum.