Youth taken for inquiry found dead on track

RPF inspector and constable suspended for negligence; judicial inquiry is on into the incident

CCTV footage of Moulishwaran allegedly running away after escaping from the Gummidipoondi RPF police station on Saturday morning.

A 22-year-old college student who was taken for an inquiry to the Gummidipoondi Railway Protection Force (RPF) post during the early hours of Saturday was found dead on the railway track a few hours later. A judicial enquiry is on into the incident as residents suspect that the RPF is trying to cover up custodial death. RPF officers, though, say it was a case of suicide.

Moulishwaran, 22, resident of Chinnakavanam village in Ponneri, was pursuing his second-year BA in Political Science in a Government College in the area. His father is a construction worker. On Saturday morning, his body was found on the railway track near Ponneri. According to RPF officials, the youth was handed over by the residents of Chinnakavanan village to the gate man of level crossing gate 26 near Ponneri. “The villagers had chased and nabbed him on charges of stealing cables during the early hours of Saturday. Two of his aides escaped,” said a senior RPF officer.

Moulishwaran was handed over to the RPF inspector Angadkumar around 2.30 a.m. He was taken to the Gummidipoondi post. Vinay Kumar, an RPF constable was on duty. “Around 7.35 a.m, Moulishwaran wanted to attend nature’s call and stepped out. He jumped the compound wall and escaped. Neighbours saw him escaping,” the officer said.

After escaping, Moulishwaran borrowed the mobile phone of a track man and called someone. “He informed the person on the other side that he was going to end his life. The track man did not take this seriously and left the place after taking the phone. When he returned, he found him dead. It is a case of suicide,” the RPF officer claimed.

Following the death of Moulishwaran, the RPF inspector and constable have been suspended for negligence. A case has been registered by the Gummidipoondi SIPCOT police station.

Foul play suspected

“On Friday night he and three others were taken for enquiry by the police. On Saturday morning, the villagers came to know of Moulishwaran’s death and they confronted the RPF officers,” said N. Jeeva, a social activist.

“The RPF officials claimed that he was released. Had he been let off, his parents should have been informed. Besides, no one would commit suicide after removing the dress. We suspect that he would have died during enquiry and the police would have flung his body on the track to make it appear as suicide,” Mr. Jeeva alleged.

On Saturday, many residents of Ponneri marched to the Ponneri Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and submitted a petition stating that they suspect foul play in the youth’s death.

As per our demands an enquiry is being conducted by Ponneri Judicial Magistrate P.T. Satheesh Kumar. The post-mortem was conducted before a committee,” said Mr. Jeeva. He said that the RPF officers concerned should be booked for murder and the family of the youth should be compensated.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).