The wife of a temple priest who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage has accused Tamil Nadu police personnel of assaulting her husband inside the Chinthamani Police Station and alleged that the injuries sustained during the incident ultimately led to his death.
The deceased, identified as Paramasivam, a resident of the Melapatti area of Madurai, had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital before he died on August 15. His family has rejected the police version of events and has demanded an independent investigation into his death.
The matter has now reached the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, which has ordered an inquiry and directed that the deceased’s body be examined under the supervision of a judicial officer.
Wife Alleges Assault At Police Station
According to Paramasivam’s wife, Aiyammal, the incident stemmed from a dispute on July 18 in which both sides had lodged complaints.
She alleged that police initially asked her and her husband to appear at the station the following morning to submit their petitions. However, she said police later called them during the night and asked them to come immediately.
Aiyammal claimed that she was undergoing treatment at a hospital at the time and was receiving intravenous fluids, making it difficult for her to walk. She said she told the police that she would come the following morning.
She said she and Paramasivam subsequently went to the police station the next morning.
According to her account, two police personnel, including a woman officer, were standing near the station entrance. She alleged that as Paramasivam approached the station, four police personnel attacked him near the entrance, hitting him repeatedly on the head and punching him before pushing him to the ground.
She claimed that Paramasivam became unconscious at the spot.
Aiyammal further alleged that when her son attempted to intervene, police personnel threatened to implicate him in a ganja case and chased him away from the scene.
She said she collapsed after witnessing the assault and that police subsequently took Paramasivam in a vehicle to a government hospital.
Wife Also Alleges Assault On Her
Aiyammal alleged that she protested outside the station after Paramasivam was taken away and demanded that her husband be returned to her.
She claimed that a woman police officer and another policeman assaulted her during the protest. She also alleged that one of the personnel recorded a video of her while she was protesting.
The wife has maintained that Paramasivam did not fall on his own, directly contradicting the version she says was communicated by the police.
According to her, police have claimed that Paramasivam fell and sustained injuries, and have denied assaulting him.
Brain Haemorrhage Allegedly Worsened
Aiyammal said Paramasivam continued to receive treatment following the incident.
Around 20 days later, she said a scan at a government hospital showed approximately 8 ml of bleeding in his brain. A subsequent scan allegedly showed that the bleeding had increased to around 12 ml.
Doctors at the government hospital reportedly advised surgery.
She said Paramasivam remained admitted there for two days before she decided to shift him to Velammal Hospital, hoping to save his life.
According to her, doctors at the private hospital told her that surgery had to be performed immediately. She said she paid approximately ₹2 lakh, following which the operation was performed the same evening between 7 pm and 8 pm.
She claimed that Paramasivam initially showed signs of movement after the surgery, moving both his hands, but subsequently failed to regain consciousness.
The family continued to wait for several days in the hope that he would recover.
Aiyammal said doctors later told her that there was no recovery in his brain function, although his heart and other vital organs were functioning. She said doctors advised the family to shift him to a government hospital and consider organ donation.
She said she pleaded with the doctors to wait for another two days and continued paying for his treatment and medicines.
Paramasivam subsequently died on August 15.
High Court Orders Inquiry
Following his death, Paramasivam’s family approached the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and action against the police personnel whom they accuse of assaulting him.
The petition reportedly named Chinthamani Police Station Inspector Vijay Bhaskar, Sub-Inspector Jayakumar and police personnel Ananthu and Abdul Mohammed, among others.
The High Court subsequently ordered an examination of Paramasivam’s body under judicial supervision.
Following the order, Madurai Fifth Judicial Magistrate Lakshmi Priya visited the Government Rajaji Hospital and examined the deceased’s body. The examination reportedly continued for more than five hours.
Family Refuses To Receive Body
Paramasivam’s relatives have now refused to receive his body, demanding a proper investigation into his death.
His wife Aiyammal, son Prabhu and representatives supporting the family have alleged that they have serious doubts about the circumstances surrounding his death.
They have also questioned the police claim that Paramasivam died after falling and have demanded that all available evidence be examined.
The family has called for an investigation into the alleged assault, the circumstances of Paramasivam’s injuries and the subsequent deterioration of his health.
The allegations against the police personnel have not been independently established. The police have reportedly denied assaulting Paramasivam and maintained that his injuries were caused by a fall.
The family, however, continues to allege that Paramasivam was assaulted and has demanded justice rather than compensation.
“I want justice. I don’t want anything else,” Aiyammal said, reiterating her demand for action against those she holds responsible for her husband’s death.
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