Coimbatore: Mysterious death of inmate; postmortem in front of Judicial Magistrate

Coimbatore: A Judicial Magistrate today carried out inspection and inquiry into the mysterious death of a life convict at in the Central prison here, which had triggered a protest by about 1000 inmates here.

Karuppasamy of Mettupalayam was convicted in a murder case and was undergoing life sentence. Jail officials took him to the government hospital here after he reportedly complained of chest pain on June 24, but died on admission yesterday.

However, the family members suspected foul play and claimed that Karuppasamy was beaten to death by some of the jail authorities over cell phone conversation.

The jail authorities had claimed that Karupasamy had suffered an heart attack and died before being admitted to the Government Hospital.

Police said that as per the proceeding in case of a death in jail, the 3rd Judicial Magistrate, Nambirajan, went to the hospital today and inspected the body, along with the deceased's relatives.

The Magistrate also asked Karuppasamy's wife, son and some relatives to come to the Court, took their version and again went to the hospital to watch the post-mortem proceedings, which were videographed, they said.

Earlier, Nambirajan had gone to the prison and enquired about the incident with some prisoners, lodged in cells near that of Karupasamy.

The prisoner's wife, an NGO and PUCL had filed petitions with the Principal District Sessions Judge, Pongiappan and City Police commissioner, A K Vishwanathan requesting that the postmortem be done in front of a magistrate and also that it be videographed.

About 1000 prionsers at the jail had boycotted breakfast and noon meal to protest against Karuppasamy's death.

Some prisoners had climbed atop trees and sought an inquiry into the death.

Senior police officials had rushed to the spot and conviced them that the death was due to cardiac arrest after which they returned to their cells.