Suspected custodial death of thief sparks fresh row in Chennai
S RAJASHEKAR’S FAMILY ALLEGED HE WAS FRAMED AND BEATEN UP AT CHENNAI’S KODUNGAIYUR POLICE STATION
CHENNAI: A 33-year-old man died in Chennai on Sunday night after he was picked up for alleged theft, prompting the suspension of five police officers.
S Rajashekar’s family alleged he was framed and beaten up at Chennai’s Kodungaiyur police station. Manikandan, Rajashekar’s brother, told reporters the police were after his brother for a decade.
“Now they have beaten and killed him inside and they are covering it up saying he died due to ailments,” Manikandan said.inspector general (south zone) T S Anbu said the five suspended officers include an inspector and sub-inspector. “They told us that they only questioned him [Rajashekar] related to his crime. But still, since this incident has happened, the five officers have been suspended,” said Anbu.he dismissed allegations that Rajashekar was detained for a week.
State’s DGP C Sylendra Babu ordered transfer of case to CB-CID, which is also probing the alleged custodial death of one V Vignesh on May 7 in Chennai. Rajashekar alias Appu, a resident of Mundhiri Thoppu in Thiruvallur district, was booked for a 2020 theft, police said on Monday. Based on a tip off, a police team on June 12 arrested him. “During probe, Rajashekar confessed to the two offences,” the police added.
“As the police were preparing to take him to retrieve the gold jewellery, he began vomiting and he wasn’t feeling well,” the police statement said. “He was taken to a private hospital for first aid. The medical team said that his pulse was low, following which he was rushed to the Government Stanley Hospital where he was declared brought dead.”
As per procedure, a magistrate and the police department conduct enquiries if a person dies while in custody.
A report has been sent to a metropolitan magistrate to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The suspended officers include Miller, inspector of police, Kodungaiyur, a sub-inspector and two head constables and a Grade I police constable.
The Tamil Nadu state human rights commission on Monday called for a report from the commissioner of police, Chennai, to be submitted within four weeks.