The police had informed Dinesh Kumar’s parents that he would be released after the inquiry. However, by noon, his father, Velmurugan, was unable to locate him at either the Vandiyur Outpost or the Anna Nagar station, where officers said the inquiry was “still underway.”
Published Oct 10, 2025 | 11:41 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 10, 2025 | 11:41 PM
Custodial death (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: A 30-year-old man from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has died under suspicious circumstances after being taken for police questioning, prompting allegations of custodial death and widespread public protests. Family members and human rights groups have accused the police of torture and demanded a judicial inquiry and a transparent post-mortem. Meanwhile, the police have registered cases against protesters and deployed security forces.
A 30-year-old man from a Scheduled Caste community in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has died under suspicious circumstances after being taken for police inquiry on Thursday, 9 October, sparking allegations of custodial death and public protests.
The victim, identified as Dinesh Kumar of Yagappa Nagar, was reportedly called in for questioning by Inspector Flower Sheela and a special police team from Anna Nagar Police Station on Thursday morning.
The police had told his parents that he would be released after the inquiry. However, by noon, Dinesh Kumar’s father, Velmurugan, could not locate him at either the Vandiyur Outpost or the Anna Nagar station, where officers said the inquiry was “still underway.”
Later, Inspector Flower Sheela visited the family home and informed them that Dinesh Kumar had allegedly escaped during the inquiry and drowned in a nearby canal at Vandiyur. The body was not immediately shown to the family.
Fearing custodial torture, Dinesh Kumar’s parents and relatives contacted rights groups and lawyers. Members of the Madurai District Bar Association, human rights activists, and public organisations staged a sit-in near the MGR statue from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., demanding that a murder case be registered against the police officers involved.
The protesters dispersed after police assured them that appropriate action would be taken.
Later in the evening, the family was shown Dinesh Kumar’s body when it arrived at Government Rajaji Hospital. Protesters alleged that he had been tortured in custody. On 10 October, various groups again demonstrated in front of the District Collectorate, seeking justice.
Meanwhile, police have registered cases against the protesters for the six-hour road blockade. Security forces have been deployed as a precaution around Anna Nagar, the hospital and mortuary, the District Collector’s office, and the Anna Bus Stand amid fears of renewed protests.
Call for judicial inquiry and transparent post-mortem
The victim’s family has written to the Dean of Madurai Medical College, requesting that the post-mortem be conducted under video recording and in compliance with court and human rights guidelines to ensure transparency.
A petition seeking a judicial inquiry into his death is expected to be filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Human rights groups, including The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Joint Action Against Custodial Torture – Tamil Nadu (JAACT), have demanded justice for Dinesh Kumar.
PUCL stated that the case should be transferred to the CB-CID to ensure an impartial investigation, as directed by the Supreme Court in cases of custodial deaths. The organisation called for murder charges and charges under the Prevention of Atrocities Act against Inspector Flower Sheela and others involved.
JAACT demanded that the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, register an FIR under Section 196(2) of BNSS, subject the body of Dinesh Kumar to post-mortem following the directives of Santosh v. District Collector Madurai (W.P(MD)No.12608 of 2020), and hand over the investigation to the CB-CID.
PUCL also urged that the National Human Rights Commission be notified within 24 hours to enable a direct inquiry and ensure police accountability.
The statement expressed deep concern over recurring custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu and appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin, who also holds the Home portfolio, to take direct action to reaffirm the government’s commitment against human rights violations.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
