A 26-year-old salesman working at a Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) liquor store passed away in a hospital following police detention for suspected involvement in an illegal liquor sale. The deceased, N. Arunachalam, from Thoothukudi, was apprehended by Thoothukudi South Police on July 17 regarding the alleged possession and sale of 120 liquor bottles. Despite police assertions of detaining him solely for questioning, Arunachalam’s health deteriorated, leading to his hospitalization on July 18.
His demise has stirred outcry from family members who claim he suffered severe physical abuse while in police custody, resulting in fatal injuries. Allegations suggest that Arunachalam disclosed being repeatedly assaulted by three to four police officers during interrogation, causing significant head and leg injuries. Subsequently, his family staged a protest outside the hospital, refusing to accept his body until action is taken against the implicated police personnel.
Relatives have demanded accountability for the officers allegedly involved in the custodial violence, emphasizing the need for a criminal case against them. Arunachalam’s mother, Parameswari, accused the police of brutalizing her son and urged for justice through the registration and arrest of the responsible officers. The incident has reignited concerns over custodial violence, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Arunachalam’s tragic death.
