Suspect dies in police custody in Neelankarai

The deceased, V Anthony Raj, a resident of Semmenchery, had at least six cases of property offence registered against him at Neelankarai, Thuraipakkam and Pazhavanthangal police stations. Investigating a case of gold theft, the Neelankarai police had picked up Anthony Raj from his house on Thursday. Another suspect was also detained along with him, but was later let off by the police. 

After questioning, police took Anthony to the house of his live-in partner in Kannagi Nagar in search of the stolen gold. However, the team could not find any gold there. Then, Anthony apparently mentioned another address where the gold could have been stashed. 

According to police officers, Anthony was being taken to the second location when he developed health complications and died. “He developed breathlessness while he was being taken to a recovery spot. 

Initially, he was taken to a private hospital nearby. Later, he was shifted to Royapettah government hospital where he was declared dead on arrival,” a senior police officer said. 

Anthony used to live with a married woman in Kannagi Nagar after he snapped ties with his family when his mother forced him out of their house in Semmenchery. On information about Anthony’s death, his friends and relatives started thronging the police station as well as the hospital. 

However, no one from his immediate family visited the hospital. “His father is no more while his mother is living with another man in Semmenchery. His sister is married. No family members came to the hospital so far. 

Therefore, the post mortem examination was delayed,” police said. A senior police officer added noted that a magisterial enquiry has been ordered to probe the death of the suspect.  

This is the second custodial death in this month alone, after a 45-year-old government staff was found dead inside a lock-up at Chunambedu police station in neighbouring Kancheepuram district on May 1. 

Chittrarasu, a clerk at the office of assistant education officer in Acharapakkam near Maduranthakam, was summoned to the station following a dispute with his neighbours. In that case, police had claimed that Chittarasu committed suicide by hanging inside the lock-up.