Chennai man detained for theft dies, five cops suspended, say police

Now they have beaten and killed him inside and they are covering it up saying he died due to ailments MANIKANDAN, brother of deceased

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 Rajasekar’s family alleged he was framed and beaten up at Chennai’s Kodungaiyur police station. Manikandan, Rajasekar’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 [Rajasekar] related to his crime. But still, since this incident [custodial death] has happened, the five officers have been suspended,” said Anbu.

He dismissed the allegations that Rajasekar was detained for a week.

“Based on one or two instances it is not right to paint the entire police force with the same brush,” said a senior officer pleading anonymity.

Police said Rajasekar, who was detained on charges of stealing gold jewellery, collapsed inside the police station and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. This is not the first case of custodial death in the state.

Police chief C Sylendra Babu ordered the transfer of the case to CB-CID, which is also probing the alleged custodial death of one V Vignesh on May 7 in Chennai. CB-CID has arrested six police officers on charges of murdering Vignesh.