Inquest ordered into death of man found unresponsive in B.C. police jail cell

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Coroners Service says it will hold a public inquest into the death of a man who was found unresponsive in an RCMP jail cell on Boxing Day two years ago.

Surinder Singh Mahli was transported to hospital on Dec. 26, 2011, after he was found unresponsive in an RCMP lockup cell in Surrey.

Mahli, who was 58, died four days later at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Coroner Margaret Janzen will oversee a coroners jury, which will hear evidence over four days beginning Jan. 20 of next year.

A coroner’s jury can’t assign blame, but they can make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.