Kin of custodial death victim get 10 lakh

Justice M S Ramesh while granting the compensation, said “I am quite disappointed with the lethargic attitude on the part of high ranking police officials in not initiating departmental proceedings against the three officers till date, inspite of specific recommendations of the investigating authority namely, the ADGP, CBCID. The incident occurred way back in 2010 and even after a lapse of 7 years, it is now being submitted that the government is still in the process of initiating departmental proceedings against the three officers.” 

Ramesh alias Nambu was employed with one Thangavelu, and on April 22, 2010 the latter gave him a bag containing Rs 2 lakh in cash and gold bars weighing 2kg, to be handed over to a shop in Melur, near Madurai. While travelling in bus, Nambu lost the gold bar and he brought it to the notice of his owner as well as the police. 

But police kept him in illegal custody from April 22 to 29 and tortured him. His father, wife and two minor children were also summoned and scolded in filthy words. 

On May 10, 2010, he was again picked up by Melur police. But the following morning his family was informed that Nambu had been admitted to a private hospital in Manapparai for treatment. He was declared dead the same day. 

While the revenue divisional officer gave a finding that there were contusions which might have been caused by police torture, a probe by ADGP-CBCID also concluded that Nambu had been held in illegal custody and subjected to ‘ill-treatment’ which led to his hospitalisation and death.