The Commission has taken cognisance of media reports that Kalimuthu, in his 40s, who hailed from Salem district of Tamil Nadu, was allegedly tortured by police after being detained "without any reason".
The NHRC in a statement today said that it has issued the notice to the Director General of Police of the state and called for a detailed report, including the inquest, postmortem examination, video CD of the postmortem and other relevant reports as per standing directions given by the Commission.
There are reports that he was beaten up by police in custody following which he died.
Kalimuthu was found dead in custody on October 9, two days after he he was arrested in the theft case.
According to the report, carried on October 10, Kalimuthu along with another person, was "caught near a temple in Thalassery area by the public."
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