Scheduled Caste youth dies in police custody in Sivaganga, family alleges torture
The Hindu
Scheduled Caste youth Akash dies in police custody amid allegations of torture, sparking protests and demands for accountability.
A 26-year-old man, who was picked up by police in connection with an assault case and allegedly tortured in custody in Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, died while undergoing treatment on Sunday (March 8, 2026). The youth, Akash, belonged to the Scheduled Caste.
According to sources, the Manamadurai police had arrested Akash, 26, and his acquaintance Guna, both from Manamadurai, two days ago for allegedly attacking two men with sharp weapons and causing injuries. The police claimed Akash sustained serious injuries after he suffered a fall while attempting to flee from custody.
Following the incident, he was admitted to the Sivaganga Government Medical College Hospital for treatment. Later, on Saturday (March 7, 2026) evening, he was shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai. He died while undergoing treatment there.
Sources at GRH said Akash had suffered multiple fractures across his body. Preliminary indications suggested that the death could have been due to fat embolism, though the exact cause would be known only after the post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, family members and relatives of the youth staged a road roko in Manamadurai, alleging he had died due to custodial torture.
Condemning the incident, Joint Action Against Custodial Torture (JAACT) advisor and human rights activist Henri Tiphagne said with this case, the number of custodial deaths reported in the State in recent years had risen to 26.
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