Former senior IPS officer Pon Manickavel on Sunday, 21 December 2025, delivered an extended and emotionally charged press address in Madurai, responding to public debate surrounding the death of Poornachandran. Stating that his remarks were meant not only for Tamil Nadu but for audiences across India and abroad, Manickavel said he had deliberately stayed away from media appearances for several days to conduct his own inquiries.
“For the last two or three days, I have been in Madurai. I went to the hospital, I went to every place connected to this incident, and only after detailed enquiry, did I come and speak to the family,” he said. He stated that he had spoken to Poornachandran’s mother, father and wife, listened to audio recordings provided by them, and seen the children and other family members.
Manickavel prefaced his remarks by referring to his police career. “I am a police officer. I have served for 30 years. I am saying this because the High Court and even the Supreme Court have written that the trust placed in my integrity has not reduced even by a fraction,” he said, adding that he had not arrived “dramatically” but only after days of verification.
Referring to allegations circulating on social media, he said, “If this had been a murder, I, Pon Manickavel, would not be standing here. This is not murder. Murder is when one person kills another. Suicide is not an ordinary matter.” He explained that in law, suicide could attract abetment provisions under Section 306 of the IPC.
He repeatedly cited what he described as Poornachandran’s dying declaration. “Before his death, he clearly said why he was doing this. He spoke about British rule, about culture, about the present government. He even mentioned the name of a judge. He apologised to his two children and to his parents. He clearly stated the reason,” Manickavel said.
On the political dimension, he said, “If there is abetment, then the head of the Tamil Nadu government is the Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin.” He alleged that certain media outlets had stayed away deliberately. “That is why Sun TV is not here. If they come, I will speak about them, and they know you will broadcast it,” he said.
Manickavel said the deceased’s son had told in the audio, “Our entire family is DMK.” He added, “Whether that is true or false, I don’t know. But he said it. That shows how loyal they were. Yet not one DMK person came.” Calling it an altrusitic suicide, he asked whether party leaders would visit unless money was involved.
He asserted repeatedly that he was not aligned with any political party. “I swear. I am not connected to any party. I vote for whoever works well, even if he is DMK. But if Karunanidhi or Stalin stands, I will never vote for them. I will work hard to defeat them,” he said, adding that he had earlier decided never to enter politics but was now reconsidering.
Strongly rejecting claims about Poornachandran’s character, Manickavel said, “If anyone called him a drunkard, I challenge them—show one proof.” He referred to drawings in the house. “Look at the children’s drawings—Murugan, Vinayaka, the national flag, Karthigai Deepam. Has anyone else drawn like this?” he asked.
He denied that he was seeking publicity. “I did not come here for mileage or popularity,” he said, addressing Hindus in Tamil Nadu, Canada, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Europe. “You can trust my integrity. I swear. He has left two children and left this world.”
On allegations that the act was financially motivated, he said, “If anyone says he did this for money, they are base born. I will go directly go to their house.” He added, “This (Poornachandran) death cannot be defamed. Those who try to malign it are of the lowest moral character.”
Manickavel also spoke at length about the physical aspect of death by burning, stating, “Burning is not easy. Even one-third burns take nearly 40 days to kill. This was total burning,” which he said disproved casual claims being made online.
He said, “This is an altruistic suicide, first of its kind in Tamil Nadu. He has given up his life for a social cause.”
He further added, “A DMK party member dies and leaves a dying declaration – this is a strong message to the entire DMK cadre. As for funding the children’s education, we should not beg the government. We will raise funds transparently. An account will be opened in the children’s names. Every rupee will be accounted for. Not even a drop will be misused. I will act as a watchdog.”
He alleged that police officers today were “prisoners of the government” and described democracy as “fake democracy driven by corruption.” He said, “A society becomes good only when taxpayers demand accountability.”
Responding to questions on police conduct, Manickavel delivered a sharp critique. “The police in our state are kindhearted when they pass out from the training, but their hands are tied when each party comes to power. Had I been the police officer, I assure you 100% that I will write an email to the CM stating that I am a servant of the law, I am not a servant of the government, every police officer must remember this, as long as the oral instruction is extralegal,” he said. “If a judge passes an order, I will obey it. High Court orders must be respected. A police officer who disrespects judicial orders is not fit to be police. A bad judge once passed a bad order, I don’t know in what circumstance he passed that order, but I still respect him.”
Manickavel concluded by saying, “Reporters will never become Chief Ministers – but their owners will. A vegetable seller can never become a councillor unless he has money. This is fake democracy.”
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