An activist of the Communist Party of India-Marxist's (CPI-M) student wing Tuesday died of a head injury in police custody after participating in a protest.

Students Federation of India (SFI) leaders, however, alleged that the 22-year-old Sudipta Gupta, an MA student in the Rabindra Bharati University here, died after being beaten up by the police.

The incident occurred when hundreds of supporters of SFI hit the streets to stage a protest against state's higher education department's decision to stall students' union elections at all educational institutions for the next six months.

Police, however, said the activist died after he crashed into a lamp post while being taken to jail.

Ritabrata Banerjee, general secretary of SFI, however alleged Gupta died in the heavy baton charge by police.