31-yr-old dies in de-addiction centre, family raises suspicion

The police identified the deceased as Balaji, a native of Tiruvannamalai, who had been working in a welding shop. According to the police, Balaji’s family received a phone call from the centre saying he was unwell and was admitted to a private hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

His family said that Balaji was addicted to alcohol and ganja. He was admitted to the private de-addiction centre in Maduravoyal by his father three months ago.

On Friday, the deceased’s father — Panchaksharam (60) — filed a complaint at the Koyambedu police station claiming his son could have beaten at the centre and it could have caused his death.

The police, however, noted that they could come to a conclusion only after receiving the autopsy report. “We will confirm the cause of death after receiving the post-mortem report. Further investigation will proceed according to that,” an official said.

Similar incidents of patients admitted at de-addiction centres dying of mysterious causes have been reported in various parts of the city in the past.