A 42-year-old truck driver was allegedly found dead inside the toilet of a Tamil Nadu police station on Saturday. He had visited the station earlier to file a complaint.
The deceased, identified as Balakrishnan, was a native of T. T. Azhagarnayakkanpatti in the Theni district. He worked as a lorry driver and helped transport cardamom for a trader named Nagaraj from Madurai.
According to local media reports, Balakrishnan had visited the Valandhur police station in Madurai on November 3. He was filing a complaint about his lorry catching fire near Valandhur while he was transporting cardamom from Bodi to Madurai.
Balakrishnan returned on Friday night to check the progress of the case. However, police officials had reportedly found discrepancies in his complaint. They decided to question him in order to collect statements and evidence.
He was asked to stay overnight at the station and was accommodated inside the police inspector’s room. On Saturday morning, Balakrishnan reportedly went to the police station toilet.
The police claimed he was found unconscious and partially hanging inside the restroom. He was taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital and was declared dead on arrival.
The police claimed that Balakrishnan had died by suicide after he feared that the police may flag issues in his complaint, potentially leading to action against him.
Balakrishnan’s wife, Sudha, alleged that the police tortured her husband into accepting responsibility for the burning of the cardamom.
According to Sudha, the police had called Balakrishnan to the station for an inquiry on Thursday. His family also accompanied him. After the inquiry, he was sent home.
Sudha said Balakrishnan was distressed after police allegedly pressured him to take blame for the incident.
The police allegedly contacted him and asked him to return. However, this time, his family did not accompany him.
“He did not speak to us after going for the inquiry last night. This morning, the police informed us that he had died,” Sudha told South First.
Madurai District Superintendent of Police Devanathan visited the police station and conducted a primary inquiry into the incident.
The Station House Officer (SHO) and other police personnel on duty have been suspended. A CB-CID investigation is to take place. CCTV footage from the police station has been preserved and is to be inspected.
Meanwhile, local protestors have gathered outside the police station as they remain unsure about Balakrishnan’s alleged suicide. Over 100 police personnel have been deployed at the police station.
