History sheeter succumbs to injuries due to police assault

CHENNAI: A 20-year-old history-sheeter, who was detained at the Otteri police station in connection with an inquiry on September 21 and let off the same day, swooned in his house and was admitted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital where he succumbed on Thursday.

The family members of M Akash, who initially alleged police excess to media, were not available for comment, while the police denied custodial torture and maintained that he was admitted to hospital due to drug and alcohol overdose.

Akash of Ayanavaram was facing 10 pending cases, including for theft and hurt. On September 21, he was picked up by the Otteri police for allegedly harassing a woman in his neighbourhood. A day earlier, he had damaged the car of a railway employee in Perambur in an inebriated state along with a friend.

“Akash was brought to the police station around 7 30 pm. As he was in an extremely inebriated state, he was not in a position to cooperate for questioning, after which his sister, Gayathri, was informed and she took him from the station around 11 pm,” said a senior police officer.

After reaching home, Akash consumed more pills and alcohol because of which he swooned and was rushed to the hospital after midnight, police said.

After a week in the hospital, he succumbed without responding to treatment on Thursday. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.