Published Jul 14, 2026 | 10:21 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 10:21 PM
Sabari Varman died in custody at the Nagercoil District Jail on Monday.
Synopsis: Two wardens and the Chief Head Warden of the Nagercoil District Jail in Tamil Nadu were arrested after a post-mortem reportedly found 19 injuries on the body of undertrial prisoner Sabari Varman, who died in custody on Monday. Varman’s wife alleged that he was beaten to death, while opposition parties have demanded a judicial inquiry, answers from Chief Minister Vijay and compensation for his family.
Three officials of the Nagercoil District Jail in Tamil Nadu were arrested on Tuesday, 14 July, after a post-mortem examination of 35-year-old undertrial prisoner Sabari Varman, who died in custody on Monday, reportedly found 19 injuries on his body.
Those arrested are Chief Head Warden Thirumalai Nambi Suresh, Warden Sivakumar and Warden Jegan.
A differently abled resident of North Thamaraikulam in Kanniyakumari district, Varman was arrested on 9 July for allegedly selling 200 grams of banned gutka in South Thamaraikulam. He was remanded to judicial custody and lodged at the Nagercoil District Jail.
Prison authorities had initially said that Varman died of a sudden cardiac arrest while in custody.
According to reports, the post-mortem, conducted in the presence of the District Judge, found injuries on Varman’s hands, legs and chest. His right arm was fractured, while marks reportedly suggested that his hands and legs had been tied. Injuries were also reportedly found on his head and the back of his neck.
Varman’s wife alleged that her husband was beaten to death in custody. Comparing the incident to the infamous Sathankulam custodial deaths, she demanded justice.
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Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said he was shocked by Varman’s death in judicial custody and demanded answers from Chief Minister Vijay, who also holds the Home portfolio.
He also accused the police of double standards, saying that while Varman remained in custody in a gutka case, TVK functionary Arun, who was arrested in Erode in another gutka-related case, was released on station bail the same day.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded a judicial inquiry into the custodial death.
In a statement, State Secretary M Veerapandian demanded that a murder case be registered if custodial assault is established, ₹25 lakh in compensation for the bereaved family, and concrete measures to prevent custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu.
BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan condemned the incident, saying police stations and prisons are meant to uphold the law, not function as torture chambers.
She said the death of a healthy young man in custody had raised fears of “another Ajith Kumar incident”.
Drawing parallels with the Sathankulam and Thiruppuvanam custodial death cases, Srinivasan called for a transparent investigation, stringent action against those responsible, and adequate compensation for Sabari Varman’s family.
She also asked what response Chief Minister Vijay would offer, since the police function under his direct control.
Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator Seeman accused the government of protecting the prison officials involved.
He said that irrespective of the allegations against an accused person, punishment can be imposed only through due process of law and not through custodial violence.
Criticising Chief Minister Vijay for remaining silent, Seeman questioned whether the government would, like previous administrations, shield officials instead of prosecuting them.
He demanded that those responsible be booked for murder and that Sabari Varman’s family be paid ₹25 lakh in compensation.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
