Fresh autopsy ordered on Tenkasi farmer’s body

The earlier post mortem report submitted before the High Court on Wednesday found four injuries on his body. The petitioner, Palammal (60), wife of the victim, claimed her husband Anaikarai Muthu died of custodial torture by the Forest personnel.

The petitioner said her husband did not have any illness or health complications. On July 22 at about 11 pm, five personnel led by Nellai Nayagam, Kadayam Range Officer, took him for inquiry to the Forest office at Bungalow Kudiyiruppu, Sivasailam. The officials did not give proper reason or serve notice at the time of his arrest. He was declared dead on July 23.

Based on a complaint lodged by her son Natarajan, Alwarkurichi police on July 23, filed a case under Section 176 (1) (A) of Cr.P.C. Moreover, the petitioner stated that the post mortem was conducted in Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital hastily at night after his death in a secretive manner. Hence, the petitioner demanded re-post mortem by a team of forensic medicine professionals from different medical colleges headed by the Professor of Forensic Medicine from the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital under full video coverage.

After hearing the arguments, Justice R Pongiappan appointed Selvamurgan, Head of the Department, Faculty of Forensic Medicine and P Prasanna, Associate Professor, Tirunelveli Medical College and Hospital to conduct a re-post mortem on the body of the petitioner’s husband along with another professional Sudalaimuthu, Head of the Department, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Thoothukudi Medical College and Hospital. Moreover, the Dean, Tirunelveli Medical College and Hospital, has also been directed to make necessary arrangements for videographing the proceedings.