A report by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate concluded that Palani’s death was caused by an assault by Kotturpuram police personnel, leading to a murder case being registered.
Published Sep 24, 2025 | 11:04 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2025 | 11:04 PM
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Synopsis: The Chennai District Additional Sessions Court sentenced a Sub-Inspector (SI) and two head constables to life imprisonment in connection with the 2009 custodial death of a man. In March 2009, Palani, also known as Kutty Palani, who was taken to the Kotturpuram Police Station in Chennai, died hours after being released.
The Chennai District Additional Sessions Court in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, 24 September, sentenced a Sub-Inspector (SI) and two head constables to life imprisonment in connection with the 2009 custodial death of a man.
In March 2009, Palani, also known as Kutty Palani, was taken to the Kotturpuram Police Station in Chennai after receiving complaints that he had created a disturbance under the influence of alcohol.
He was later sent home, but died within hours.
A report by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate concluded that Palani’s death was caused by an assault by Kotturpuram police personnel, leading to a murder case being registered.
Charges were filed against five policemen, including P Arumugam, then an SI, M Manoharan, Harihara Subramanian, Vincent, and Ezumalai, all head constables then.
However, proceedings against Vincent and Ezumalai were dropped after their deaths during the course of the trial.
On Tuesday, Judge V Pandiaraj found Arumugam, Manoharan and Harihara Subramanian guilty of murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 each.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
