Chennai: A 47-year-old man who was mercilessly beaten with lathi by a policeman in public view, died at the Government hospital in Salem district of Tamilnadu on Wednesday.
As the incident went viral on the social media, a Special Sub-Inspector of Police (SSI), Periasamy, who had allegedly beaten the man for picking up an argument with the police in an inebriated condition, was placed under suspension, pending inquiry.
Police have registered a murder case against him following protests from his family members and relatives.
Police said A Murugesan, of Edayappatti, who is a farmer, and two others went to a liquor shop bordering Kallakurichi district. When they were returning in a two-wheeler, Murugesan was stopped by the cops at the Pappinaickenpatti check-post coming under Yethapur police station limits in Salem district Tuesday evening, leading to an argument.
A video clip of the brutal attack, which went viral on the social media, showed the police beating the farmer, though his friends pleaded with them to let him go, with three other policemen, who were present on the spot, made no effort to prevent the cop from beating Murugesan.
After being brutally beaten with lathi, Murugesan fell unconscious on the road.
He was taken to a Primary Health Centre and then to the Athur Government Hospital, from where he was shifted to Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed Wednesday.
The wife of the deceased alleged police high handedness resulting in Murugesan’s death and demanded action against the four police personnel.
As the news spread, relatives of Murugesan gathered in large numbers in front of the Yethapur police station and demanded action against the policeman.
In a swift action, the Salem district police placed the SSI, who had beaten the farmer, under suspension and charged him with murder.
The incident comes exactly a year after a trader Jayaraj and his son J Bennicks died of police torture at the Sattankulam Police Station in Thoothukudi district, which triggered public outrage and sent shock waves across the State.