Policeman beaten to death in Theni over Deepavali celebration dispute

A Special Sub-Inspector of Police (SSI) was beaten to death by a gang of youths when he questioned them for disrupting traffic at Samadharmapuram in Theni Allinagaram on Deepavali day. According to the police, SSI Senthilkumar, 55, attached to the office of the Theni Deputy Superintendent of Police, was returning home after duty when he noticed the seven-member gang bursting firecrackers in the middle of the road and making reels on Sunday night.

The SSI, who was wearing civilian clothes, scolded the youths and asked them to burst the firecrackers on the roadside. As the youths, who were in an inebriated state, did not heed his advice, Senthilkumar began recording their activities on his mobile phone.

Angered by this, the youths beat him up, rendering him unconscious. He was rushed to a private hospital in a police patrol vehicle. As his health deteriorated, he was taken to the Theni Government Medical College hospital, where he was declared ‘brought dead’.

The Theni police had arrested six out of the seven accused, a police officer said. AIADMK, AMMK leaders lash out at CM Vijay over Deepavali day murders across Tamil Nadu Quarrel over bursting Deepavali crackers ends in youth’s murder in Tiruchi district 18-year-old youth murdered by gang in Chennai’s Vyasarpadi A statement from the Theni district police said the SSI had attempted to apprehend one of the youths bursting firecrackers on the road.

Another youth had elbowed Senthilkumar, causing him to lose balance and fall. An earlier police statement had said the SSI had a heart-related ailment. Meanwhile, Senthilkumar’s mortal remains were cremated in Theni after a post-mortem.

He was accorded a gun-salute, in the presence of Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) T.S. Anbu, Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari, and Superintendent of Police K.S. Praveen Gowtham.

A scuffle between the SSI and the gang over the recording of the youths bursting crackers on the road led to his murder, Mr. Gowtham said. Talking to reporters on Monday late evening, Mr. Gowtham said the “unfortunate” event occurred at around 9.45 p.m.

on Sunday when Senthilkumar noticed the youths bursting crackers on the road. After alerting the police station, he tried to take photographs of their activity. “A scuffle broke out between the SSI and the youths, in which Senthilkumar was injured and he fell unconscious,” he said.

By then, the police team had arrived and he was rushed to the Theni Government Medical College hospital. “But, unfortunately, he died while being taken there,” Mr. Gowtham said. The SP said special teams were formed to track the accused and six of them were arrested.

Only one of them had previous case against him. When asked whether the police could have taken precautionary measures to prevent such a murder based on the past experiences during festivals, the SP said all police officers were on duty on Deepavali day and adequate number of patrol vehicles were deployed.