CB-CID told to submit status report on probe into Mahendran’s death

The CB-CID has commenced its probe into the case on Wednesday. Mahendran died last month in Thoothukudi. The probe began as per the directive of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Wednesday based on a petition filed by S Vadivu, mother of the victim from Asirvadhapuram in Sathankulam.

A CB-CID team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar, the investigating officer, has collected documents in the case from Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar on Wednesday. The CB-CID initially inquired relatives, including the sister of Mahendran in a house at KVK Nagar in Thoothukudi. The team later moved to Sathankulam and conducted inquiries in connection with the incident, sources said.

Vadivu in her petition claimed that her son Mahendran was illegally detained by the Sathankulam police personnel, including Inspector S Srithar and Sub Inspector Raghu Ganesh in connection with a murder of Jeyakumar of South Peikulam that reportedly occurred on May 18. Mahendran was tortured by Srithar and Ganesh to death in the guise of inquiry. Based on a complaint from Aalikumar, brother of murdered Jeyakumar, the Sathankulam police registered an FIR against nine people. Though Mahendran’s name was not included in the FIR, cops kept him in custody for two days. His mother further claimed that Mahendran was in a critical condition and lost consciousness when he was let out by the police on the May 24 night.

As Mahendran’s condition deteriorated on June 11, family members rushed him to the Thoothukudi GH, where he succumbed on June 13, the petitioner said. The judge said the court would monitor the probe and adjourned the case to August 7.