Tiruppur Dalit man found dead with hands tied; foul play alleged

Pro-Scheduled Caste forums and activists have alleged foul play in the death of a 42-year-old man, whose body was found hanging from a tree with his hands tied, near Dharapuram in Tiruppur district on June 26.

While the police stated that it was a case of suicide, the organisations alleged that the deceased, K. Murugan of Sennakkalpalayam, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste and was doing farm work, was a victim of caste atrocity.

Murugan’s body was found around 11 a.m. on June 26. The Alangiyam police shifted the body to the Dharapuram GH, where the post-mortem examination was carried out on June 27. The body was cremated the same day. Tiruppur District Superintendent of Police (SP) Yadav Girish Ashok said the post-mortem findings did not indicate any signs of external force. Murugan’s family also did not raise any suspicion in his death. The police registered a case under Section 194 (police to enquire and report on suicide, etc.) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. “A detailed investigation is on,” the SP said.

Another senior police officer claimed that the hands were not tied fully when the body was found. The rope was found only coiled around the wrists without a knot. This indicated that Murugan could have done it himself before ending his life, the officer said. The police said Murugan’s moped and footwear were found near the scene. He had visited his relatives before coming to the spot, they said. However, activists and members of the VCK, the Tamil Puligal Katchi, and other pro-Dalit organisations alleged foul play. They also accused the police of not conducting a proper investigation and forcing the family to cremate the body in haste.

V. Govindaraj of Vizhuthugal, an organisation working for the welfare of people belonging to the SCs and Scheduled Tribes, said he would petition the Collector for an inquiry into Murugan’s death.

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