Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday raised concerns over the increasing number of custodial deaths under the DMK regime, citing the recent death of a youth in Pudukkottai after being taken into police custody for questioning. Palaniswami called for an explanation from Chief Minister MK Stalin, accusing the state government of failing to address these incidents.In his statement, Palaniswami referred to the tragic death of Vigneshwaran, a young man who reportedly died in police custody in Pudukkottai. He pointed out that the youth had been detained by the police for questioning, and reports indicated that he passed away while in custody. This incident, according to Palaniswami, highlights the alarming rise in custodial deaths under the current DMK government.
Raising Concerns Over Past Allegations:
Palaniswami also recalled a similar incident from 2022, when a young man named Vignesh was allegedly subjected to custodial death in Chennai. He stated that he had raised this issue in the State Assembly at the time, but CM MK Stalin had allegedly lied about the incident. Palaniswami expressed disappointment over the lack of accountability and the state’s inability to properly address the issue. “The rise in custodial deaths and the cover-up of such incidents is highly condemnable,” he said.
He further criticized CM Stalin for his handling of custodial torture cases during the AIADMK regime, particularly the infamous Sathankulam case involving Jayaraj and his son Benicks, who were allegedly tortured in police custody. Palaniswami pointed out that Stalin had vehemently condemned the incident at the time, portraying himself as a champion of human rights. “Now, what is he going to say about the custodial deaths under his own government?” he asked, accusing Stalin of hypocrisy.
Palaniswami’s Plea for Women’s Safety:
In addition to his remarks on custodial deaths, Palaniswami also addressed issues concerning women’s safety, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. He appealed to people to take a pledge to create a safer environment for women, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms in the law enforcement and judicial systems.
Palaniswami stated that women in Tamil Nadu feel increasingly unsafe under the current government, and he had pointed this out on multiple occasions. “However, there has been no response or solution from the government,” he said. He urged CM Stalin to take concrete actions to ensure the safety and security of women in the state.
DMK Government’s Inaction on Law and Order:
The AIADMK leader continued to criticize the DMK government for its failure to effectively combat drug trafficking and maintain law and order in the state. Palaniswami lamented that custodial deaths had become a recurring issue in Tamil Nadu, which he claimed reflected the governmentâs inability to tackle serious issues such as crime, police accountability, and justice.
He further pointed out that the government had not made any substantial progress in curbing drug trafficking, an issue that has plagued Tamil Nadu for years. “On one hand, the ruling DMK government has not taken any concrete measures to end drug trafficking or maintain law and order. On the other hand, custodial deaths have become a recurring issue,” Palaniswami wrote in a social media post, tagging CM Stalin’s official handle.
Call for Action:
Palaniswami demanded an explanation from CM Stalin regarding the death of the youth in Pudukkottai, urging the government to take responsibility for the ongoing problem of custodial deaths. He called on the government to address the broader issues of police brutality, law enforcement accountability, and women’s safety.
In conclusion, the Opposition Leaderâs statement underscores the growing concerns over human rights violations and law enforcement practices under the DMK regime. With custodial deaths and womenâs safety emerging as significant points of contention, Palaniswami has called for immediate attention and action from the state government to resolve these pressing issues.