Bag snatcher dies in custody, family protests

Family members of the deceased, M Shahul Hameed, 21, from SM Nagar in Mettupalayam refused to receive his body from the hospital on Sunday, alleging that he had died due to police torture when he was in custody.

As they sought a judicial inquiry, a post-mortem was performed in the presence of a judicial team and a video was also taken. 

According to the police, Sugumar from Shankar Nagar and his wife Rama from Sirumugai were on their way on a bike on Sirumugai Road a few days ago, when Shahul Hameed from Yervadi and M Syed Ibrahim followed and snatched away her handbag. 

As the duo sped away in their vehicle, Sugumar chased and managed to nab them with the help of public. The public thrashed both Shahul and Syed, before handing them over to Mettupalayam police. 

After inquiry, police admitted a severely injured Shahul to CMCH. However, he died without responding to treatment. Family members of the youth protested, demanding action against the police. However, they took the body after police officials promised to hold an inquiry.