Torture in police custody alleged, youth dies in hospital

Alleging physical torture on a 26-year-old youth while in police custody leading to his death, about 200 persons, including his parents and relatives today gathered in the Government Hospital, seeking a detailed inquiry in the incident.
According to the relatives, Karthik, an estate worker and resident of Sullikode village in Kothagiri, about 40 Kms from here, was taken by police to question about theft of Rs. three lakh from the house of one Lakshmiyammal on October 23.
He was reportedly taken to Kothagiri police station and from there to Solarmattam Station as part of the inquiry and did not return home, they alleged.

The parents sought the release of Karthik through court after learning that police were questioning him at a private cottage in Mettupalayam-Kothagiri Road, following which he was handed over the next evening.
Karthi was reportedly semi-naked, with bleeding injuries all over the body when he was handed over, the relatives alelged.
He was immediately admitted to the Government hospital in Kothagiri, from where he was referred to the Government hospital here, where he succumbed to injuries early today, police said.

Parents and relatives who gathered at the hospital refused to accept the body, seeking a detailed inquiry into the incident and punish the culprits.

Meanwhile, as part of inquiry of the theft, police had taken finger prints of 150 villagers, the relatives claimed.
The body is kept in the mortury waiting for post mortem, police said.