Family of Custodial Death Victim Attempts to Stop TN CM's Convoy
Relatives of Akash Delison, who died in police custody, attempted to block CM Vijay's convoy in Chennai to submit a petition seeking a CB-CID probe.
A security scare unfolded outside the Tamil Nadu Secretariat on Thursday morning when relatives of a custodial death victim attempted to approach Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's convoy. The incident took place as the Chief Minister was travelling from his residence in Neelankarai to the Secretariat.
Over 100 people had gathered near the entrance of Fort St. George hoping to meet the Chief Minister. Among them were Rajesh Kannan (50) and his wife Anandhi (43), relatives of Akash Delison, a youth from Sivaganga district who allegedly died in police custody at the Manamadurai police station in March this year.
The family has maintained that despite a case being registered against six police personnel, no action has been taken. They were seeking to hand over a petition demanding a CB-CID investigation into the matter.
As the group crossed the barricades and moved onto the road, security personnel intervened. In the ensuing scuffle, a constable fell and sustained a minor injury. Police said Kannan breached the barricade and ran towards the convoy. When Constable Ramkumar of the Tondiarpet police station attempted to stop him, Kannan allegedly struck him on the chest. The constable later complained of chest pain and was taken to a government hospital.
The convoy reached the Secretariat portico at 10:02 a.m. Police detained eight persons, including Kannan and Anandhi, for questioning in connection with the security breach. They are expected to be released after the day's Assembly proceedings.