Lucknow, March 20 (IANS) Five policemen have been suspended and booked in connection with the custodial death of a village head in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district, police said Saturday.

'The five policemen, including a station house officer (SHO) and a sub-inspector, have been slapped with a criminal case registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),' Superintendent of Police (city) R.L. Verma told reporters in Mathura, around 300 km from Lucknow.

Horlila (50), head of the Tehra village in Mathura, allegedly died in police custody Friday night. Police had arrested him a few days ago for his alleged involvement in a case pertaining to violence in the village.

'A magisterial probe into the case is under way. Though we have suspended and booked the five policemen on the basis of preliminary investigation, necessary legal action would be taken against them after the magisterial enquiry gets completed,' he added.