Man found dead with handcuffs near Nilakottai

The body was identified to be that of Mokkamayan of Meenankannipatti, who was a close associate of Anthony, who was arrested on suspicion of being involved in smuggling of ganja. 

The incident happened on Friday when a six-member team from Aroor police led by SI, Raneesh, had reached Batlagundu along with Anthony who pleaded ignorance. As the police did not believe him, they had made Anthony to call his friend Mokkamayan who came over. 

Police arrested him and took him to Usilampatti, Keeripatti and other places and then finally exorted him to his own farm at Meenankannipatti at midnight. It is said that the police team had handcuffed Mokkamayan and allegedly tortured him to get details about ganja smuggling. When the police personnel kicked him, he reportedly fell into a dry well and they could not get him out as it was dark. So, the team left the village.

After two days, on Sunday, Anthony called the family of Mokkamayan and informed them about the incident and asked to check the well in their farm. When the family rushed to the well, they saw the body of Mokkamayan. Immediately the body was sent to Batlaguntu GH for post mortem. The police have booked a case of suspicious death. 

On Tuesday, a team from Evidence led by its Executive Director, A Kathir, carried out investigations. Kathir said Mokkamayan used to work as a plantation labourer in Kerala and had befriended Anthony then. When Aroor police arrested Anthony in a ganja smuggling case, he said he was innocent. Police were reluctant to believe his version. Hence Anthony told them about his only friend Mokkamayan. It was then, police secured Mokkamayan. Kathir said that when he spoke to Anthony, he had revealed that Aroor police had beaten Mokkamayan and reportedly pushed him inside the well. 

Kathir demanded the Dindigul police to book a murder case against Aroor police under section 302 of the IPC and a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of Mokkamayan.