On 18 September, the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) directed the state government to pay ₹4 lakh in compensation to the father of Kumaresan, an auto driver from Tenkasi, who died in 2020 following alleged custodial torture by two police officers.
In his petition, A. Navaneethakrishnan from Veerakeralampudur claimed that his son was subjected to severe physical abuse by Sub-Inspector Chandrasekar and Constable Kumar of the VK Pudur police station. According to the complaint, Kumaresan began vomiting blood and experienced breathing difficulties on 10 June 2020. He was first treated at a private hospital and later transferred to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (MCH), where his health continued to decline.
While undergoing treatment at MCH, Kumaresan reportedly informed the attending doctor that he had been assaulted by SI Chandrasekar, which had worsened his condition. He further stated that he and his father had been summoned to the police station on 8 May regarding a land dispute. During this visit, Chandrasekar allegedly slapped and threatened him. On 10 May, Kumaresan was again summoned and subjected to a brutal beating with a lathi, punches, and kicks, including blows to his chest and private parts. Constable Kumar allegedly participated in the assault.
Although the VK Pudur police launched an internal inquiry on 14 June, they did not record Kumaresan’s statement. His father repeatedly appealed to the government and district officials, but Kumaresan succumbed to his injuries on 27 June 2020. A suspicious death case was filed under Section 174(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
In response, the two police officers claimed that Kumaresan was a habitual alcoholic and had previously sought outpatient treatment for vomiting blood. They also alleged that he had used obscene language in public and had been booked for disturbing the peace.
However, SHRC member V. Kannadasan, after reviewing the medical records, oral testimonies, and documentary evidence, concluded that Kumaresan had indeed been tortured while in custody. The Commission also found that the officers failed to provide convincing proof that alcoholism was the cause of death.
As a result, the SHRC ordered the state government to compensate Kumaresan’s father within one month. It also recommended that disciplinary action be initiated against SI Chandrasekar and Constable Kumar, and instructed that ₹2 lakh each be recovered from the officers.
(With Inputs From TOI)
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