Sabari Varman 'custodial death': Eight inmates shifted to Tirunelveli prison

NAGERCOIL: Eight inmates accused in the custodial killing of a 33-year-old differently abled remand prisoner inside the Nagercoil District Prison have been shifted to the Palayamkottai Central Prison as the investigation gathers pace.

The transfer was carried out under heavy police security after the Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Kalaiarasan, questioned the accused inmates and other prisoners and reportedly gathered crucial evidence in the case.

The victim, Sabari Varman, a grocery shop owner from Eethankadu near Samithoppu, was arrested in a gutka-related case and remanded to judicial custody. He died inside the prison on July 13.

Police alleged that prison warders and a group of inmates tied up Sabarivarman before assaulting him. Three prison warders — Jagan, Suresh and Sivakumar — have been arrested and suspended from service, while eight inmates have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Following the incident, Sabarivarman's family initially refused to receive the body, demanding that the post-mortem findings be made public. They withdrew the protest after the district administration assured them of action. The State government announced a relief package, including Rs 10 lakh, a house site with free housing, educational assistance and a government job for an eligible family member.