Thoothukudi custodial deaths: Accused cop Paldurai dies of Covid-19

MADURAI: Special sub-inspector Paldurai -- who was arrested in connection with the deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son J Beniks after being tortured by the Sathankulam police -- died of Covid-19 in the early hours of Monday.
His family members, including wife Mangaiyar Thilagam have been informed about his death.
Paldurai was among 10 cops who were arrested in connection with custodial deaths.
He was lodged in the Madurai Central Prison (remand prisoner number 1479). He tested positive for Covid-19 on July 24 and was admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital on the same day.
Doctors diagnosed him with uncontrolled diabetes and a heart condition. Recently, he started losing consciousness.
Hospital authorities declared that he died around 12.10am.
On Saturday, Mangaiyar Thilagarm petitioned Madurai city police commissioner Prem Anand Sinha seeking his help to shift he husband to a private hospital at her expense as his health condition continued to deteriorate.
Police sources said a postmortem would be carried out before safely disposing of the body. A magisterial inquiry will be conducted since it is a medico-legal case.