In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the Pudukottai locality, a 58-year-old jeweller and former town secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), P Rajasekaran, allegedly died by suicide on Sunday night (June 25). The incident occurred just days after he was taken into police custody for interrogation. The news of his death has prompted widespread condemnation of the police, with allegations of custodial torture emerging.
The circumstances surrounding Rajasekaran’s death have ignited public anger and led to protests in the town. Traders, along with the deceased’s family members and CPI functionaries, staged a road blockade on Monday, demanding justice and an end to custodial torture. The sub-inspector of police who headed the interrogation has been placed on compulsory wait pending further investigation.
A protest march was organized to the Pattukkottai government hospital, where Rajasekaran’s body was taken. As a mark of solidarity, local jewellery shops remained closed on Monday, emphasizing the collective outrage against the alleged police brutality.
According to sources, Rajasekaran was apprehended by officers from the K K Nagar police station in Tiruchy on June 22 on charges of jewellery theft. His wife was also summoned for questioning, and a search was conducted at their residence. Both were released on June 24.
However, on Sunday, Rajasekaran failed to return home and was later discovered dead near the railway tracks in the Chettiakkadu area, near Pattukkottai. The railway police retrieved his body, which was subsequently sent to the Pattukkottai government hospital for a post-mortem examination. The police have classified the death as a suicide.
The news of Rajasekaran’s demise has elicited strong reactions from various political figures and leaders. CPI state deputy secretary N Periyasamy, Tiruthuraipoondi MLA K Marimuthu, former MLA G Palanichamy, and district secretaries M Uthirapathy and M A Bharathi engaged in talks with police officials, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged custodial torture. Former MLA N R Rangarajan further called for a CB-CID (Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department) investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, the opposition leader in Tamil Nadu and general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Edappadi K. Palaniswami, criticized the ruling DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) government for the incident. Edappadi said, “Rajasekhar, a former Pattukottai town secretary of the Communist Party of India, one of the political organisations that continues to support the Vidiyal government and puppet CM MK Stalin, has committed suicide as a result of police torture.”
Palaniswami added, “There are reports that Rajasekhar has been taken by police from Trichy area for enquiry, claiming that he had bought stolen jewelery from someone a few days ago. Mr. Rajasekhar’s father Mr. Pichaikannu Paththar lived in this area with great dignity. According to the people of Pattukottai area, these people are from good families and have no chance of doing something like this. Though it is said that inquiry is a routine thing in the jewelry business, It seems that his wife was also taken into custody without any connection in the case and tortured in the name of investigation. Due to this, Mr. Rajasekhar jumped in front of the train and committed suicide.”
He stated, “A separate body should be formed to investigate Rajasekhar’s alleged suicide. As a relief, Rs 50 lakhs should be given to their family. I also urge the inept Chief Minister MK Stalin and the Vidiyal DMK government to take legal action against all those responsible, including the police officers who detained and tortured the CPI member.”
விடியா அரசையும், பொம்மை முதலமைச்சர் திரு.மு.க. ஸ்டாலினையும் தூக்கிப் பிடித்து நிறுத்தும் இயக்கங்களில் ஒன்றான, இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியின் பட்டுக்கோட்டை நகர முன்னாள் செயலாளர் திரு. ரோஜா ராஜசேகர் என்பவர் காவல்துறை கொடுத்த தொடர் டார்ச்சரால் தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்ட கொடுமை நடந்துள்ளது.… pic.twitter.com/kBxAaJuJTr
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) June 29, 2023
(With inputs from New Indian Express)
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.