Man dies hours after police inquiry; kin allege custodial torture

Chennai: A 28-year-old man, who was detained and questioned by the police after creating a nuisance near a TASMAC outlet in MGR Nagar, died after returning home. His family claimed that he died due to police assault, while the police denied the accusation and stated that he had pre-existing health issues related to alcohol addiction. Senior police officials have ordered an inquiry.The deceased was identified as Venkatesan, 28, a resident of Nesapakkam, MGR Nagar. According to police, he had developed an addiction to alcohol due to mental distress. On Monday, he created a nuisance for motorists near TASMAC shop in MGR Nagar.On information, MGR Nagar police rushed to the place and detained Venkatesan. During questioning, he abused police personnel badly in the full view of public. He was later taken to the police station for interrogation. Police also summoned his parents and let him go with them on Monday after obtaining an undertaking.On Tuesday morning, his father Rajendran found his son unconscious. He rushed him to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.MGR Nagar police recovered the body and sent it to the ESI Govt Hospital in KK Nagar, for a post-mortem examination.