Cops watched man burn alive: Family

CHENNAI: Family members of K Chandru (32), a physically challenged man who committed suicide after being allegedly tortured by the Peerkankaranai police near Tambaram, are seeking action against the policemen.
The family members lodged a complaint with the city police commissioner on Monday saying that the policemen did not try to save Chandru even as he set himself on fire in their presence.
Chandru, a differently abled man owning an autorickshaw, set himself ablaze in his house in Nedunkundram near Tambaram on September 9 after policemen allegedly tortured his mother K Dhanalakshmi (57).
"He poured kerosene on himself in front of the police personnel and set fire," said C Gejalakshmi (25), wife of Chandru. The family members rushed Chandru to the Chromepet government hospital and later transferred him to the Kilpauk government hospital where doctors declared him dead.
The family members blamed four police personnel, including the Peerkankaranai inspector, for Chandru’s death.
"Police investigation is not new for him, but he committed suicide only after the police tortured his mother badly," said D Kutty, Chandru’s father.
Police personnel threatened the family members and offered to give them Rs 50,000 if they did not ask for an investigation, the family members said in their complaint.
The police, however, said that Chandru’s younger brother, Surya, is wanted in many cases including four murders. "We asked Chandru to come for investigation, but he committed suicide due to family disputes," a police officer said.
The family members urged the commissioner to register a case.
"We will order an enquiry and proper action will taken if required," St Thomas Mount deputy commissioner of police, Ashwin M Kotnish told TOI.