Man ends life, kin claim police torture

Madurai

The victim identified as K. Ganesamurthy of Perumal Kovil Street, Ettayapuram, was said to have hanged himself in his house on Friday afternoon, source said. However, the Ettayapuram police have totally denied such allegations as charges levelled against the police were completely false.

Investigations revealed that the victim Ganesamurthy, a construction worker, fell off his bike in a drunken mood at Navalakampatti on June 20 and suffered injuries and his friend, a pillion rider, also got injured.

Despite injuries, the victim again rode his vehicle to a liquor shop and consumed alcohol. Since the police found him moving on the bike and bleeding, the victim was followed to check whether he was attacked by his rival and felt the likelihood of further attack.

Later, the injured victim was administered first aid at Ettayapuram Government Hospital. But, his vehicle was impounded by the police. Since he looked unusually nervous, his wife Ramalakshmi (24) questioned his behavior in the house, and subsequently a quarrel broke out between them. The frustration finally led to Ganesamurthy hanging himself. Later the victim’s family put the blame on police for driving him to commit suicide. Based on complaint lodged by Ramalakshmi, Ettayapuram police filed a case under Section 174 of Cr.P.C.

Kovilpatti Revenue Divisional Officer J. Vijaya, when contacted, said the relatives refused to accept the body demanding action against the police and also sought compensation. Later a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh including SP’s Discretionary Fund was handed over to the next of kin. The body was then accepted by the relatives,