A 55-year-old Shiva devotee from Madurai has died, with his family alleging he was assaulted by police during questioning linked to a parking dispute. The Madurai Police Commissioner has recommended that the matter be taken up for an inquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).
According to the complaint, the man, identified as Paramasivam from Mel Anuppanadi Housing Board area, had a dispute on July 17 with neighbours Valakrishnan and Malathi over vehicle parking, during which he sustained a head injury. He later filed a complaint at the Chinthamani police station and received treatment at the Madurai Government Hospital before returning home the next day.
The family says police personnel came to his house on July 19 and took Paramasivam and his wife Ayyammal to the station for questioning. During the inquiry, he allegedly suffered internal head injuries due to assault and remained under treatment, eventually dying at a private hospital.
In a petition sent to the Madurai Collector, the complainant has alleged that, in the presence of an inspector, an SI and other personnel assaulted Paramasivam, and later warned the couple not to speak about it. The complaint also alleges they were pressured to call the emergency helpline and state that there was no issue, and that a policeman later threatened them at the government hospital to seek discharge.
Paramasivam died on the night before last while undergoing treatment. Police Commissioner Rajendran has recommended an RDO-level inquiry into the allegations.
