Father Refuses Son's Body Over Custodial Death Demands

The Madras High Court issued a directive on Monday for the father of Akash, who died on March 8 in Manamadurai, Sivaganga district, to receive his son's body. The body has been at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for three months, as the family has refused to claim it. They are demanding accountability from the police personnel allegedly responsible for Akash's death due to custodial torture.

During a court hearing concerning a petition filed by Akash's father, A Rajeshkannan, the government counsel highlighted the body's decomposed state and the inability of doctors to access the mortuary. Justice L Victoria Gowri directed the petitioner to claim the body by 5 PM on Monday, warning that the state would otherwise proceed with its disposal.

Previously, on June 10, the court had addressed another petition by Rajeshkannan seeking a murder case registration. The court noted that the offense had already been reclassified under Section 103 of BNS 2023 and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC&ST Act. The investigation has since been transferred to the CB-CID, with CCTV footage and other records secured, and the officer is tasked with completing the investigation swiftly.