A police chief in a central China county was ordered to resign for dereliction of duties Sunday after an inmate died of suspected inquisition torture a week ago, local police bureau said.

The Henan provincial public security bureau ordered Zhang Guanjun, police chief in Lushan County, Pingdingshan City, to step down and also removed a deputy chief from his post.

The inmate Wang Yahui, 28, died during an interrogation on the night of Feb. 21. Wang, a local villager, was arrested on Feb. 18 on theft charges.

Four policemen, who were found to be involved in the alleged inquisition torture, have been handed over to prosecutors.

The provincial procuratorate and public security bureau launched an investigation after media reports quoted Wang's relatives saying Wang had bruises on his body.

Those responsible will be severely punished after a thorough investigation, the provincial public security bureau said.