Chennai: Custodial death has come back to haunt the city police with a suspect dying under mysterious conditions at Esplanade police station in the wee hours of today. An Inspector was immediately transferred out following the incident.
According to sources, Jayakumar (22), from J J Nagar, Korukkupet experienced a seizure while he was lodged at Esplanade station. He passed away on the way to the hospital. A suspect in a robbery case, Jayakumar was arrested along with two others for allegedly stealing gold from a house in Broadway.
Even as this version was given by the police, the family members of Jayakumar protested in front of the police station claiming that he was assaulted by police resulting in his death.
They demanded to see the other persons who were arrested, but senior officials who came to the spot pacified the family members and assured a speedy inquiry into the case.
Jayakumar was a differently-abled person who worked at a metal shop in Broadway. Few days ago the police received a complaint from a family living above his shop that their gold jewellery had gone missing. On 20 December, Jayakumar and two other persons Ajith Kumar (19) and Vignesh alias Vicky (33) were arrested as suspects in the robbery case.
Jayakumars father works as a rickshaw driver in Korukkupet. The police claimed that Jayakumar had admitted to the crime and was reportedly taken to Kasimedu where he hid the jewel.
Meanwhile, Inspector of Police, Gunasekharan was transferred to Control Room following the incident, sources say.