Government employee dies in custody, family alleges foul play by cops

The deceased, Chittrarasu, was working as a clerk at the office of assistant education officer in Acharapakkam near Maduranthakam. While the police denied any foul play in the death and claimed the man committed suicide inside the cell, his family members alleged that it was a case of custodial murder and sought action against the officers involved in the incident. 

Chittrarasu was summoned by the Chunambedu police on Tuesday afternoon after a fight with his neighbours, Anand and his wife Navammal, with whom he has been having a dispute over a land. He was summoned based on a complaint from Navammal. He went to the station at around 4 pm but did not return. 

Some of his relatives who saw him inside the lock-up on Tuesday night claimed that they were in the police station till late night, but the police officers were not ready to speak to them or release Chittrarasu. 

On Wednesday morning, when the relatives went to the station, police informed them that Chittrarasu committed suicide by hanging in the lockup. They were also told that his body was sent to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Refusing to believe police version, relatives suspect their involvement in his death. 

The relatives staged a dharna outside the police station while his colleagues protested in front of Chengalpattu medical college, where his body was kept for autopsy. 

Kancheepuram superintendent of police Santhosh Hadimani visited the station following the suspected custodial death and an RDO enquiry has been ordered into the death. Chittrarasu is survived by his wife and two sons.