A 42-year-old goods vehicle driver was found dead inside the restroom of Checkanurani police station in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday morning. Three police personnel, including the station inspector, have been suspended following the incident.
The deceased, identified as R Balakrishnan, was a native of Theni district.
He had been at the police station since Friday evening to assist officers in reviewing CCTV footage related to a fire that destroyed goods in his delivery vehicle on November 3.
According to police, Balakrishnan was found unconscious inside the restroom around 6 am after allegedly attempting suicide by hanging. He was taken to Government Rajaji Hospital for emergency treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Superintendent of Police N Devanathan said the CCTV footage related to the incident had been preserved at the police station.
Driver Had Reported Fire in Goods Vehicle
Balakrishnan worked as a driver for a delivery company. His vehicle had reportedly caught fire near the Valadur tank bund on November 3 while transporting parcels and cardamom from Thevaram to Madurai.
All 60 bags of goods carried in the vehicle were destroyed in the fire. Balakrishnan had filed a complaint at Valandur police station, following which a case was registered under the relevant provisions relating to accidental fire.
Police said the reason behind his death was not yet clear.
Judicial Inquest, CB-CID Probe Ordered
An officer said a judicial inquest would be conducted to ensure an independent and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the death. The investigation will also be handed over to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID).
The inspector and two other police personnel from Checkanurani police station have been placed under suspension.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances in which Balakrishnan died while he was at the police station.
