Madurai lorry driver found dead at Chekkanurani police station; police claim suicide, family alleges torture
A 42-year-old lorry driver named Balakrishnan was found dead inside Chekkanurani police station in Madurai district on Saturday, 14 November, after going there in connection with a complaint, according to The News Minute. Police claim he died by suicide after being questioned as a suspect, but his family has rejected that explanation, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said, according to PTI. PTI reported that the case has been handed to the CB-CID.
How the Complaint Began
The News Minute reported that Balakrishnan lived in Alagarnayakanpatti in Theni district and drove a lorry for a company that transports goods. PTI reported that on 3 November the goods vehicle he was driving caught fire near the Valandur Tank Bund while carrying cardamom. The consignment was destroyed, and Valandur police registered a case of accidental fire on his complaint, according to PTI. ETV Bharat reported that the trader complained at Valandur police station and put the value of the missing bags at Rs 2 crore. The News Minute added that police then summoned Balakrishnan to the station for an inquiry and to help review CCTV footage of the fire.
Questioning and the Police Account
The News Minute quoted police as saying he was questioned on Friday, 13 November, and that officers found contradictions in his complaint. He was asked to remain at the station overnight, The South First reported. The News Minute reported that doctors at Government Rajaji Hospital declared him dead after he was rushed there. The same report said a postmortem examination had yet to be conducted at the time of its publication. According to preliminary information from police cited by The South First, the alleged act stemmed from fear that his complaint could lead to action against him.
Family Alleges Police Torture
His wife, Sudha, alleged that Chekkanurani police tortured him to make him accept responsibility for the fire that destroyed the cardamom, The South First reported. Sudha told reporters that he did not speak to the family after going to the station for the inquiry, and that police informed them of his death the next morning. ETV Bharat reported that the family alleged he was beaten to death and that the incident was portrayed another way to evade responsibility. According to ETV Bharat, relatives want the officers involved, including the inspector, arrested and compensation paid to the family. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin cited relatives' allegations that the body was hurriedly sent for post-mortem without being shown to the family, PTI reported.
Protests and Political Reaction
The South First reported that more than 100 people protested outside the station on Saturday, alleging a cover-up. The protesters also said the body would not be accepted until the circumstances of his death were clarified and justice was delivered. Over 100 police personnel were deployed at the station after arguments between protesters and police, according to The South First. Manikandan, the district president of the All India Forward Bloc, warned of a major protest alongside local residents if justice was not delivered, The South First reported. PTI reported that opposition leaders criticised the state government over the death, accusing the administration of a "severe deterioration in law and order". Udhayanidhi Stalin, in a post on X, asked why a complainant had been summoned for questioning at night, according to PTI. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami posted on X that he was shocked by the death, PTI reported.
Inquiries Now Under Way
Madurai District Superintendent of Police Devanathan visited the station and inquired into the incident, according to The South First. Southern Zone Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari said a judicial inquiry would be held, as the death occurred inside a police station. The News Minute reported that Inspector Muthu and woman constable Kalaiselvi of Chekkanurani police station, along with other personnel on duty, were suspended. The News Minute reported that police have preserved the station's CCTV footage as part of the investigation. According to ETV Bharat, Bidari said the details of the incident will be revealed once the CCTV footage has been examined. The South First reported that the CCTV footage, post-mortem findings and statements from police on duty are expected to be central to establishing the circumstances of the death.