The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Probe into alleged custodial death

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Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Probe into alleged custodial death

Chitra V. Ramani and S. Vijay Kumar

“He might have died of heart attack, says Bangalore police

“As per our reports, his was not a custodial death. He was not in our custody ”

BANGALORE/MADURAI: An inquiry has been ordered into the alleged custodial death of M. Kanagarathinam, 47, in Madurai on May 27.

The incident came to light after K. Saravanan, 21, of Chennai, lodged a complaint with the Madurai police that his father had died in the custody of the Bangalore city police. Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, Gopal B. Hosur, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), maintained that Kanagarathinam’s death was not custodial.

“As per our reports, his was not a custodial death. He was not in our custody. He was just helping us trace stolen vehicles,” he said. The Madivala police had recently arrested a person, Vincent, and seized around three kg of gold and two sports utility vehicles from him. During interrogation, Vincent claimed that he had sold several stolen cars to Kanagarathinam. It was then that the police got in touch with him in Madurai.

“We were trying to find out to whom he had sold the stolen vehicles. We do not know if he knew he was selling stolen vehicles,” he said. Mr. Hosur said Kanagarathinam was supposed to have been a cardiac patient who had already suffered two heart attacks. “He might have died of a heart attack. We are looking into that possibility. Soon after he died, the city police got in touch with the local police there.” Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Soumendhu Mukherji was enquiring into the death.

Police sources in Madurai said Mr. Saravanan lodged a complaint that the Karnataka police had brought his father in connection with a car theft case to Madurai on May 26. They stayed in a lodge near Jhansi Rani Park. The next day, Kanagarathinam complained of uneasiness and developed epilepsy. He was taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where he died. It was alleged that the victim was brought by the Inspector of the HSR Layout police station.

RDO enquiry

Meanwhile, an enquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer has been ordered. The South Gate police have registered a case under Section 174 of IPC (unnatural death).

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