What happened to Murugan, the autorickshaw driver?

Murugan, a 40-year-old autorickshaw driver, died on October 22nd, 2025, shortly after being detained for questioning by the Poonamallee police in connection with a financial dispute.

Why did Murugan's family accuse the police of being responsible for his death?

Murugan's family members claimed that the police officers threatened him with a jail term if he did not repay a 6.4 lakh loan within 10 days, causing him severe stress that led to his collapse and death.

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Autorickshaw Driver Dies After Police Interrogation, Sparking Outrage

Q: What was the financial dispute involving Murugan?

Murugan had borrowed 6.4 lakh from a woman named Sasikala to help a friend in financial distress. When he failed to repay the money, Sasikala confronted him, leading to an altercation in which Murugan's nephew Karthik abused her, prompting her to file a complaint against both men.

25 Oct

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Summary

40-year-old autorickshaw driver died after police questioning
Family accuses police of being responsible for his death
Deceased had borrowed 6.4 lakh from a woman and failed to repay

Autorickshaw Driver Dies After Police Interrogation, Sparking Outrage

On October 22nd, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Poonamallee, Chennai, when a 40-year-old autorickshaw driver, Murugan, died shortly after being detained for questioning by the local police. Murugan, a resident of Maran Nagar, had borrowed 6.4 lakh from a woman named Sasikala to help a friend in financial distress. However, when he failed to repay the money, Sasikala confronted him, leading to an altercation in which Murugan's nephew, Karthik, abused her.

Sasikala then filed a complaint against both Murugan and Karthik at the Poonamallee police station. The police summoned the two men for questioning on Friday morning, and the interrogation reportedly continued until 8 pm. While returning home in an autorickshaw, Murugan collapsed near Karayanchavadi and was rushed to the Poonamallee Government Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.