Ramkumar commits suicide in prison

According to prison sources, Ramkumar who was under treatment for some minor illness at the prison dispensary, bit a live electric wire in a bid to end his life.

He was rushed to the Royapettah Government Hospital for treatment where he died without responding to treatment.

The prison authorities have initiated an internal inquiry against the officials on duty as it has been highlighted as a serious lapse.

Ramkumar was arrested by a special investigation team that probed the Swathi murder case from his native village Meenakshipuram in Tirunelveli district on July 1 midnight.

He had reportedly tried to kill himself by slitting his throat with a blade when the police team surrounded his house. He was then admitted to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Royapettah Government Hospital for treatment. He was discharged and sent to Puzhal prison.

According to the city police, Ramkumar was the only accused in the gruesome murder of Swathi.  

Police after tracking down the culprit with the help of private CCTV footages from outside Nungambakkam Railway station, arrested the youth from his village.

Ramkumar’s parents had alleged foul play in the arrest and said their son was innocent. They also alleged that it was the police who slit his throat during his arrest.

Recently the Madras High Court had dismissed a petition from Ramkumar’s parents seeking CBI investigation in the case.