Autopsy On Priest’s Body Conducted In Presence Of Magistrate In Madurai
Post-Mortem Conducted By Three-Member Panel As Court Orders Judicial Inquiry Into Death
The body of 55-year-old priest Paramasivam, whose family alleged that he died after being assaulted by police personnel, was subjected to a post-mortem at Government Rajaji Hospital here on Tuesday in the presence of a judicial magistrate, following directions from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
The court issued the directions on August 17 while hearing a petition filed by Paramasivam’s wife, Ayyammal, seeking justice over her husband’s death.
Justice P. Murugan ordered a detailed judicial inquiry into the death and directed that the post-mortem be conducted by a three-member panel comprising senior forensic medicine professors from government medical college hospitals in Madurai, Theni and Sivaganga.
The court also appointed advocate Ayiram Sivakumar as court commissioner to examine CCTV cameras at Chinthamani police station and determine whether they were functioning properly and whether any footage had been deleted.
Following the court’s directions, Lakshmipriya, Madurai District Judicial Magistrate V, began the judicial inquiry. The post-mortem was conducted at the Government Rajaji Hospital mortuary in her presence. Members of Paramasivam’s family were also questioned as part of the inquiry.
Paramasivam, a resident of Mela Anuppanadi, was allegedly taken to Chinthamani police station on July 18 for questioning following a dispute with neighbours. His family alleged that Inspector Vijayabaskar, Sub-Inspector Jayakumar and constables Anand and Abdul Mohammed assaulted him, causing bleeding in his brain.
He was admitted to a private hospital on August 11 and died during treatment on August 15. A video in which Paramasivam allegedly stated before his death that he had been assaulted by police personnel subsequently went viral on social media.
The police have denied the allegation of assault and maintained that Paramasivam died after an accidental fall.
