Textile worker quizzed by police dies at Coimbatore hospital

Relatives deny police version that he suffered epileptic attack

A textile unit worker who was questioned by the police for allegedly stealing a motorcycle died at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital on Sunday.

According to the police, Dinesh Kumar, 20, was picked up by Vellakoil police on August 23 along with Venkatesh. “They were intercepted while going on a stolen motorcycle. Since the theft occurred in Tirupur city, the Vellakoil police handed them to Tirupur North police on August 24 at around 4 p.m. Both confessed to the crime and a case was registered,” the police said. Dinesh developed epilepsy and the owner of the unit in which he was working was summoned immediately, the police said and added that Venkatesh, the other accused, was witness to all the happenings.

However, the relatives allege foul play.

N. Meenakshi, one of the siblings of Dinesh, alleged that her brother died due to police excess in the custody going by the circumstances and termed as “incorrect” the police version that he developed epilepsy during questioning.

Denying any police excess, a senior police official said that Dinesh developed epilepsy while in custody and was taken to the hospital only along with the owner of the garment unit.

An FIR under Section 176 of CrPC (death in police custody) has been filed and the case has been referred for magisterial inquest.