Dalit dies in custody, family alleges torture

Relatives charged that N Selvaraj (58), the victim, was brutally assaulted and killed by cops while in custody and refused to accept the body.

Sources said, N Selvaraj (58), a Dalit resident of Thirupurampiyam near Kumbakonam, was summoned by the Kumbakonam West police in connection with a child trafficking case a few days ago. Suddenly, on Friday night, the police claimed that Selvaraj suffered bouts of epilepsy and admitted him to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. A few hours later, Selvaraj breathed his last at the hospital.

CPM district secretary R Manoharan said, “Selvaraj was an alms seeker and was visual ly challenged. He cannot even board a bus without help. He was taken into custody by the police in the name of interrogation. When he was in a critical condition, the police called his son Privilraj and told him that his father (Selvaraj) fell down and sustained injuries and asked him to shift Selvaraj to Thanjavur Medical College hospital for further treatment where he died”. “There is an absolute foul play and the police want to cover it up,” charged Manoharan.

On information, SP J Mahesh and RDO TP Jaibeem held talks with the relatives and party leaders. The leaders demanded the officials to register a custodial death case and also invoke sections under the SC/ ST Act, besides seeking a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family. Following an assurance from officials, the relatives received the body.