Chennai: In a case of suspected custodial death, a 32-year-old man who was taken for an inquiry to the Guduvanchery police station for vehicle theft, died on Thursday. While the grieving family alleged that the man was tortured to death by Guduvnachery police, the cops claim that the suspect died of cardiac arrest.
The deceased was identified as Narayanan (32), hailing from Jayankondam in Ariyalur district.
According to police, a team from Guduvanchery police station were on regular patrol on the Chengalpattu Tambaram road near Silampakkam, when they intercepted three men identified as Durai Raj (35), Muruganathan (34) and Narayanan, on suspicion. On questioning, each gave contradictory statements, following which they were taken to the police station.
After a few hours, police released Narayan and his associates who were habitual offenders and involved in several vehicle thefts in Chengalpattu. But, they continued to grill them. However, at around 9 pm, Narayanan complained of uneasiness and was taken to a nearby private hospital, where doctors checked him and told the police that the accused was alright. Police said that he was again taken back to the police station."A few hours later, he fell unconscious in the station, and when he was taken to hospital, doctors declared him 'brought dead'," said a police source. The body was sent to the Chrompet government hospital for post-mortem.
Speaking to DC, Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police, Santhosh Hadimani, said that Narayanan died of heart attack. He said the deceased did not bear any injury marks on his body. However, his family suspects a foul play. A case has been registered and investigations are on.
