Just over two months after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government assumed office, Tamil Nadu has witnessed four deaths that are alleged to be custodial violence or abuse in police or prison custody. While authorities have denied wrongdoing in several of the cases and investigations are underway, the incidents have once again brought custodial practices under scrutiny.
The issue is particularly noteworthy as Chief Minister Vijay, while serving as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president, had led a large protest in Chennai in July 2025 condemning custodial deaths under the previous DMK government and demanding accountability.
1. Venkatesan Dies After Returning Home Following Police Inquiry
The first incident was reported in Chennai in June 2026. R. Venkatesan, 28, a driver from Nesapakkam, was taken to the MGR Nagar police station on the evening of June 9 after police received information that he had allegedly created a disturbance on the road while under the influence of alcohol.
According to the police, Venkatesan was questioned at the station and later released into the custody of his parents after they furnished a written undertaking. He returned home that night. The following morning, his family found him unresponsive and called the 108 ambulance service. Medical personnel declared him dead.
His family alleged that he had died due to custodial torture. Police, however, stated that he had been released after inquiry and initiated a probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.
2. Remand Prisoner Balaji Dies After Being Lodged in Puzhal prison
The second case was reported on July 15. Balaji, 44, a resident of Selaiyur who operated a pet shop, was arrested after Selaiyur police allegedly recovered banned intoxicants, including gutka, during a raid on his shop.
After being produced before a court, he was remanded to Puzhal prison. According to prison authorities, Balaji suffered a cardiac arrest inside the remand block at around 7.45 a.m. Prison staff shifted him to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
A case was registered based on a complaint from the prison authorities. Balaji’s relatives, however, alleged that he died after being assaulted by prison guards. The police department denied the allegation.
3. Sabari Varman’s Death in Nagercoil Sub-jail
Another custodial death allegation emerged days later in Nagercoil.
Sabari Varman, 35, a specially-abled shopkeeper from Ethankadu, was arrested on July 9 for allegedly selling banned tobacco products after police claimed to have seized around 200 grams of tobacco products from his shop. He died in judicial custody on July 13 while lodged at the Nagercoil sub-jail.
Subsequently, three prison personnel, including a chief warden, were arrested and suspended after the post-mortem reportedly documented 19 injuries on his body, including injuries to his elbows, forearms, knees and legs. Eight fellow inmates were also arrested.
According to officials, Sabari Varman was first assaulted by co-inmates after midnight for allegedly making loud noises inside the prison. Prison staff who intervened allegedly assaulted him thereafter. The case remains under investigation.
4. Arunachalam Dies After Arrest in Thoothukudi
The latest incident was reported in Thoothukudi.
Arunachalam, 24, of Amudha Nagar, was arrested by the Thoothukudi South police on July 17 in connection with the alleged illegal sale of liquor bottles. Police said 120 liquor bottles were seized from him and a case was registered under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act.
According to the police, Arunachalam was taken to a government hospital following his arrest, where doctors certified him fit and recorded no external injuries. He was then brought to the police station, where he allegedly collapsed while in the lock-up. Police said they provided immediate assistance, informed his mother, and later released him on station bail after his condition appeared normal.
His family admitted him to the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital the same day. He remained under treatment in the neurosurgery ward before dying in the early hours of July 23.
His relatives alleged that he had sustained fatal head injuries due to custodial assault. A video that circulated on social media purportedly showed Arunachalam from his hospital bed alleging that three police personnel had assaulted him and struck him on the head.
Police rejected the allegation and released CCTV footage showing him collapsing inside the lock-up. Officials also stated that Arunachalam had a history of seizures and claimed he had previously been arrested in other prohibition-related cases.
Following a complaint lodged by Arunachalam’s father, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Custodial Deaths Continue Under TVK
The four incidents, occurring within just over two months (in a span of 5 weeks) of the TVK government taking office, have renewed attention on allegations of custodial violence in Tamil Nadu.
The developments are significant in light of Vijay’s earlier stand on the issue. In July 2025, as TVK president, he led a large protest in Chennai condemning custodial deaths reported during the previous DMK government’s tenure. During that protest, he demanded accountability, justice for victims’ families and systemic reforms to prevent custodial violence.
This goes on to prove that nothing much has changed in terms of custodial violence under various state governments – be it the DMK or the TVK, custodial deaths continue to be reported.
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