NHRC notice to the Tamil Nadu DGP over reported suicide in police custody in Cuddalore district. (12.07.2019)

New Delhi, 12th July, 2019

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a man attempted suicide in police custody in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu on 11.07.2019. Despite treatment provided to him at the government Kattumannarkovil hospital, he was declared dead by the doctors.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report in the matter including Inquest Report, Post-mortem Examination Report and report of the Magisterial Enquiry conducted in the matter, within 6 weeks. The Commission has not yet received any formal intimation from the state police authorities in pursuance of its guidelines issued on the subject.

The Commission has observed that apparently due to negligence of the police personnel, an accused, who was in their custody, lost life, which amounts to violation of his human rights. It was the duty of the police officials to be careful about the safety of the person in their custody.

According to the media reports, carried today on 12.07.2019, the 24 year old victim, a resident of Oorithiraisolai area in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu was arrested by the police as he had allegedly withdrawn Rs. 1,200/- by cheating. He was arrested by the police on 11.07.2019 at 9.45 AM, and during investigation it was revealed that he had withdrawn money from several accounts with stolen ATM cards. He was taken to police station and after a few minutes, he told the police personnel that he wanted to urinate. He went to the bathroom, where he allegedly hung himself from the window of the toilet using a lungi at 10.45 AM.

As per police version, the deceased has a case registered against him in the year 2017 at Karur Town Police Station for deceitfully withdrawing Rs. 37000/- using stolen ATM cards. It is also mentioned that action has been taken against two police personnel for negligence in duty.

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