The family of Arunachalam, 24, who died days after being arrested by Thoothukudi South police, received his body after a post-mortem examination on Friday. His family members alleged that he died of custodial torture, but the police denied the charge.

Arunachalam was arrested on Friday (July 17) in connection with illegal sales of liquor, and the police seized 120 bottles from his possession. He was, however, released the same day on station bail.

Later in the day, he was admitted to Government Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital, and he was undergoing treatment at the neurosurgery ward. However, the hospital declared him dead in the early hours of Thursday.

Following the development, his family members staged a protest in front of the hospital, alleging that he had died due to the injuries sustained during custodial torture. A video that circulated on social media showed Arunachalam claiming that he was assaulted by three police personnel, and they struck him on his head. Based on the complaint of Arunachalam’s father a case was registered at Thoothukudi South police station on Thursday.

However, the Thoothukudi District Police, in a press release, said Arunachalam collapsed on his own inside the lock-up. The police personnel immediately provided him water and called his mother, who was at the reception area of the police station, they said. They also released a short CCTV clip showing Arunachalam collapsing inside the lock-up.

Police sources said Judicial Magistrate-III M. Vijayrajkumar visited the hospital and the police station on Thursday evening and conducted an inquiry into the incident.

Following the completion of the post-mortem examination on Friday, the family members of Arunachalam received his body, which was later cremated in Thoothukudi.

Published - July 24, 2026 08:11 pm IST