In the light of the autopsy report, which recorded “13 injury marks” on the body of Vignesh, 25, who died in custody, the CB-CID has been directed to convert the case into that of murder and frame murder charges against the police personnel concerned, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in the Assembly on Friday.
However, the AIADMK members walked out after the government turned down Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s demand for transferring the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Earlier, Mr. Palaniswami recalled having raised the issue in the House on April 26 when the Chief Minister responded that Vignesh was given breakfast on April 19; thereafter, he vomitted and developed epilepsy before being taken to Kilpauk Government Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
But according to the autopsy report, there were 13 injury marks on his body, Mr. Palaniswami said. There was a 1-cm-deep injury on the skull, besides the injuries on the jaw, shoulder and left thigh and a fracture of the right leg.
“Since the statement made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly on April 26 and the details of the autopsy report are contradictory and raise suspicion over the death, I insist on transferring the case to the CBI. Besides, appropriate action should be initiated against the police personnel concerned,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
Vignesh and Suresh of Pattinapakkam were proceeding in an autorickshaw when they were searched by the police on April 18. They were detained on the charge of possession of ganja and liquor bottles. On April 19, Vignesh was declared brought dead at Kilpauk Government Hospital.
A case of suspicious death was registered and sub-inspector Pugazhum Perumal, constable Ponraj and Home Guard Deepak were placed under suspension. The probe was transferred to the CB-CID on April 24.
Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) called for a report from the Chennai police commissioner on the death of Vignesh. It took suo motu cognisance of a media report published on April 20 about the incident and called for a report within four weeks.
