Following strict instructions from the Madras High Court, the funeral of a 26-year-old Dalit youth, a victim of police torture in Tamil Nadu, took place after 101 days. Family members wept inconsolably as they pleaded for justice.
A 26-year-old Dalit youth, who died due to alleged police torture in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, was cremated on Wednesday after 101 days. Following strict instructions from the Madras High Court, the youth’s funeral took place at an electric crematorium in Madurai amid tight security. This entire incident raises serious questions about police accountability and human rights violations.
The youth’s name was Akash. Following his death, the family refused to accept his body for more than three months. The family demanded the immediate arrest of all police officers involved in the alleged custodial murder. However, after court intervention, the funeral was finally completed amid protests and deep grief from the family.
Aakash, a resident of Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, was arrested by local police on March 6 in connection with an assault case. Police claimed that Akash fractured his leg while trying to escape. On the other hand, Akash filed a statement before a judicial magistrate stating that the policemen brutally beat him and broke his leg. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries on March 8 while undergoing treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
The post-mortem report released after Akash’s death shocked everyone, revealing approximately 28 injury marks on his body. This revelation sparked massive protests from Scheduled Caste welfare organizations and family members. Given the gravity of the case, the investigation was handed over to the CBI on March 9, and six police officers, including an inspector and a sub-inspector, were suspended.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, the Madras High Court on March 13 directed the CB-CID to register a case against the accused officers under murder and relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Subsequently, the CB-CID interrogated 11 police officers, including Manamadurai DSP Raja and several other inspectors.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father, Rajesh Kannan, approached the High Court, demanding compensation of ₹50 lakh and the arrest of 16 police officers involved in the incident. The family continued to protest near the old bus stand in Manamadurai to press for their demands.
To end the dispute, the High Court ordered on June 15 that if the family did not accept the body by 5 pm that evening, the local administration would proceed with the funeral in a dignified manner. Following the family’s refusal to accept the body, the court assigned the responsibility of conducting the funeral to the Madurai District Collector, Corporation Commissioner, and hospital officials.
When police and administrative officials arrived at the hospital mortuary on Wednesday morning to take the body, the family staged a fierce protest. Law enforcement officers briefly detained the protesting relatives in a police vehicle and then brought them to the crematorium to witness the final rites.
The atmosphere at the crematorium became extremely somber when Akash’s mother burst into tears. She threw a handful of dirt at the policemen and cursed that those responsible for her son’s death would one day be completely destroyed.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News