States » SouthPosted at: Nov 14 2026 4:29PM


Lorry driver found dead at police station rest room, CB-CID probe ordered, TN political parties condemn

Chennai, Nov 14 (UNI) Mystery shrouds the death of a lorry driver in the rest room of Chekkanurani police station in Madurai district, with police terming it as a suicide, even as it drew strong condemnation from opposition parties prompting transfer of the probe to the CB-CID Wing of the Tamil Nadu police.
Chekkanurani station Inspector Muthu, woman constable Kalaiselvi and another staff on duty at the police station located near Usilampatti in the district, were placed under suspension after the opposition parties cried hoarse on continuing deaths in police station.
Reports received here said 42-year-old driver Balakrishnan from Theni district, was transporting 60 bags of cardamom and other goods on November three from Thevaram to Madurai, when the vehicle caught fire, destroying all the goods.
Acting on a complaint from the company manager, who sensed something amiss after some bags went missing, police asked Balakrishnan to appear for an inquiry at the police station and also to assist the investigators in examining the CCTV footages. Balakrishnan too had filed a police station at Valandur where a case of accidental fire was registered.
Police said he was questioned since last evening. After the investigators found contradictions in his complaint and statements, he was asked to remain at the station overnight. He was asked to stay in the inspector's room when he went to the restroom, where he found hanging today morning. He was rushed to Government Rajaji Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police said he had ended his life fearing action for giving contradictory statements about the incident. Police have preserved the CCTV footage from the station as part of the investigation.
As the news spead, the family members of Balakrishnan staged a protest in front of the police station and sought to know the reason for his death in the wash room.
Meanwhile, stating that the case has been transferred to the CB-CID, South Zone IG Vijendra Bidari said a judicial inquiry would be conducted and that the CCTV footage from the police station are being examined.
Madurai District Superintendent of Police N.Devanathan said Balakrishnan went to the restroom inside the police station and was found in an unconscious state around 6 A.M, after allegedly attempting suicide by hanging.
The incident triggered strong condemnation from the opposition parties, including the DMK,PMK and other parties, who expressed serious concern over continuing deaths in police custody, while reiterating their charge that law and order in the state had deteriorated under the TVK regime headed by Chief Minister Vijay.
DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin said he was strongly condeming the continuing custodial deaths even after the "Dummy CM" conducted inspections at the police stations.
Questioning the need for summoning him for interrogation in the night, he sought to know what pressure was exerted on him that prompted him to take the extreme step. Stating that his body was taken to hospital for post mortem without even showing to his family members, Udhayanidhi questioned the hurry and asked whether the police had killed him in the name of investigation.
Demanding a reply from the Chief Minister, he also urged him to probe the incident in a fair manner, take action against those responsbile for it and ensure justice for Balakrishnan's family. He also asked the the Chief Minister would protect the law and order which has now in a Rotten stage.
PMK President and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss expressed concern over continuoing deaths under suspicious circumstances in police stations. Asking the police to own moral responsibility for Balakrishnan's death, he welcomed the police department's decision to order a CB-CID probe.
Pointing out that as many as seven deaths in police stations have been reported in Tamil Nadu over the past six months, he urged the government to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of people visiting police stations to lodge complaints or are brought in for questioning, and prevent such deaths from occurring in the future.
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Tags: #Lorry driver found dead at police station rest room# CB-CID probe ordered# TN political parties condemn
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