A fresh round of political slugfest has begun in Tamil Nadu following the post-mortem report of Vignesh who died in police custody last month. The post-mortem report that was released yesterday, has confirmed that the 25-year-old suffered multiple injuries and fractures on his body, indicating custodial death due to torture. This in a way is contrary to the claim of the Tamil Nadu police that Vignesh had a normal death. The National Commission
for Scheduled Castes has alleged that Vignesh has been murdered by the Tamil Nadu police. The main opposition AIADMK, however, has demanded a CBI probe.
The post mortem report accessed by The Daily Guardian shows that there were several injuries and multiple fractures on Vignesh’s body. It also lists out several contusions or bruises all over body, and an abrasion or cut on his gluteal region. The report further adds that there was a fracture on his right leg, and that the injuries were caused before his death. The cause of death, however, has not been revealed yet conclusively as some reports are still pending.
The death of Vignesh, who used to offer horse rides as livelihood in Marina beach in Chennai, has been a bone of contention since his death in mysterious circumstances in G5 Secretariat Colony police station on 19 April. The Chennai police officers said that Vignesh and another man, Suresh, were travelling in an auto rickshaw that was stopped during routine night checks at Kellys signal in Chennai. The police claimed that the duo had injury marks on their body and when questioned, they brandished a knife and threatened the police personnel. The police had to overpower them and take them to the police station. On 19th morning, Vignesh developed health complications and had a seizure and passed away on the way to the hospital, police claim.
However, the police version was trashed by the family members of Vignesh, leading to a political uproar in the state. The family has said that there were several injuries noted on Vignesh’s body, clearly indicating that he was harassed and beaten up by the Chennai police. Vignesh’s brother, who spoke to The Daily Guardian, said that the police officers forcibly offered Rs 1 lakh as compensation for the death and they urged him not to speak about the incident. The police also refused to hand over the body to family members and took it straight from the mortuary after the post-mortem to the crematorium. The last rites took place amid heavy police deployment and only a few family members were allowed to attend it.
The Opposition has put the government on the mat raising the issue of police high-handedness. Although the case has been handed over to CB-CID, it could not pacify the political parties. In fact, following the post-mortem report yesterday, another phase of political outcry has begun. AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam demanded that the state government transfer the custodial death case of Vignesh to the CBI. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also landed in Chennai and met the family and conducted an inquiry with the Chennai police on the death of Vignesh. Arun Haider, Vice Chairman of the Commission, has said that this was a murder by the Tamil Nadu police, and he demanded the investigating officer should be changed. “The police said to me that Vignesh is not from SC/ST and they are continuing offenders,” Haider has said.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu has suspended three police officials from the G-5 Secretariat police station. Sub-Inspector Pugalum Perumal, head constable Pavun Raj and Home Guard personnel Deepak have also been suspended. On 26 April, the Tamil Nadu government announced Rs 10 lakh of ex-gratia to Vignesh’s family. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that in addition to the compensation to Vignesh’s family, the government will also bear the cost of Suresh’s treatment.
