Tamil Nadu man dies after arrest over liquor sale; family alleges custodial torture
A 24-year-old man in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, who was arrested for possessing a large quantity of liquor, died in hospital after collapsing at a police
A 24-year-old man in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, who was arrested for possessing a large quantity of liquor, died in hospital after collapsing at a police station while in custody. His family alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture and sustained severe injuries in police custody before being hospitalised, where he later succumbed. The police, however, denied the allegations, claiming the man collapsed on his own inside the lock-up while speaking to other inmates and that the incident was captured on CCTV cameras. Officials said he was released on station bail after appearing stable and was sent with his family for a precautionary medical examination. According to the police, he collapsed again near the hospital and later died during treatment. The victim, Arunachalam, was picked up by the Thoothukudi police after he was allegedly found in possession of 120 bottles of liquor (180 ml each) during a prohibition enforcement drive. According to his family, he was assaulted by four police personnel while in custody and was later admitted to hospital. They said the police informed them that he had suffered a serious head injury and required surgery. The family has refused to accept Arunachalam's body, demanding a transparent investigation into his death.
Alleging that he died due to police brutality, they described the incident as a case of custodial death. Read Full Story POLICE COUNTERS FAMILY According to the police, Arunachalam was taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Thoothukudi for a medical examination after his arrest, where doctors declared him fit for custody and recorded no external injuries. He was then brought back to the police station and lodged in the lock-up along with other accused persons. The police said Arunachalam suddenly collapsed while speaking with other inmates inside the lock-up. They claimed the incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the station. Police personnel immediately attended to him, gave him water and informed his mother, who was present at the police station. According to the police, Arunachalam recovered after the episode and was released on station bail. Officials said he was sent with his relatives for a precautionary medical examination, a sequence of events they claimed was also recorded on CCTV footage. The police further said Arunachalam collapsed again near the hospital later that day and was admitted for treatment. He subsequently underwent surgery but died on July 23 despite medical intervention. Officials said a case has been registered based on a complaint filed by his father and that an investigation is underway.
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