Madurai, Aug 19:
Madurai City Police have denied allegations that 52-year-old Paramasivam died after being assaulted in police custody, stating that he suffered a head injury after falling from the staircase at his residence.
According to police, Paramasivam and his neighbour had a parking-related dispute on July 17. Both families were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital and later released on station bail.
Police said Paramasivam was admitted to GRH on August 5 with a head injury and told personnel that he had fallen from the staircase and did not want a police inquiry. He was discharged on August 6 after refusing surgery, but was later admitted to Government Vellore Medical College Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
His wife Ayyammal subsequently alleged that his condition deteriorated after he was assaulted by personnel from Chinthamani police station. She lodged a complaint with the Madurai City Police Commissioner on August 15, prompting an RDO inquiry.
Paramasivam died at a private hospital on August 16. Following his death, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed a judicial magistrate to conduct an inquiry and doctors to perform the post-mortem.
Police said Judicial Magistrate-I, Madurai, is conducting the inquiry and further action will be based on the report.