Suspect In High-Profile Murder Case Dead After Being Taken For Questioning By Police, Wife Alleges Custodial Death & Demands Further Probe

The recent demise of Santhakumar, a previously arrested in connection to the murder case of Varapuram Panchayat Council President, PBGT Shankar, has sparked widespread concern in the region. Santhakumar, who had been released from custody just the week prior, was brought in for questioning by authorities on 13 April 2024, but tragically passed away at the hospital due to deteriorating health conditions.

PBGT Shankar, a notorious figure in Sriperumbudur’s Varapuram Panchayat Council, was brutally murdered near Poonamalee in April 2023. Following the incident, Santhakumar, also known as Samu and a 15th Ward Councilor, was apprehended along with seven others and detained at Puzhal Jail.

On 13 April 2024, all seven suspects, including Santhakumar, were granted conditional bail and were reportedly on their way to meet their legal representatives in Putlur, near Thiruvallur. However, the group was intercepted by the Sevvapettai police for interrogation. Tragically, Santhakumar, while under investigation, succumbed to illness after being admitted to Thiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital. According to the Sevvapettai police, his demise occurred suddenly during hospitalization.

Santhakumar’s wife, upon learning of his sudden and mysterious passing, voiced suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. She asserted that her husband was in good health prior to the incident and accused the police department of negligence, demanding justice for his untimely demise.

In this context, the police have reported that they received information regarding the whereabouts of individuals allegedly involved in the murder case of BJP leader Shankar near Nasarathpet, Thiruvallur district. It was stated that these individuals were hiding near Putlur. Acting on this information, the special police unit apprehended the suspects and transported them to Sevvapettai police station for interrogation. Among the apprehended individuals was Rowdy Santhakumar, identified as the primary suspect in Shankar’s murder case and a resident of Kachipattu village near Sriperumbudur.

During the interrogation process, Rowdy Santhakumar reportedly complained of sudden chest pain. Consequently, the police promptly transferred him to Thiruvallur Government Hospital. However, medical personnel pronounced him dead en route to the hospital.

The unexpected death of a former murder suspect en route to police questioning has incited tension in Tiruvallur. Consequently, authorities, led by the District Superintendent of Police, have deployed personnel to manage the situation, particularly at Thiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital.

Another incident in the Villupuram district occurred where an individual, taken into police custody for questioning, tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances. The deceased’s family lodged a formal complaint at the office of the District Superintendent of Police. According to the son, who spoke to reporters, both he and his father worked at a bar near Savadi Medu. On April 9th, they were at the wine shop until around 10 in the evening when the son received a call from his mother asking him to bring home a loan amount. He left for home while his father assured him he would join shortly. Unbeknownst to the family, the police arrived and took the father to the station. They were only informed the next morning around 10 o’clock when the mother went to the station seeking to visit her husband, but she was denied access and told to return home. Later that afternoon, the father returned home, revealing red welts on his body upon removing his shirt. When questioned, he revealed that he had been beaten by the police. Shortly after, he began foaming at the mouth, and despite being rushed to the government hospital, he was declared dead.

The family alleges police involvement and demands a deeper investigation and a new autopsy.

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