HC asks ACP to continue probe into prisoner's death

The Madras High Court today asked the Assistant Commissioner of Police M. Ramakrishnan, who is now serving at Nagapattinam, to continue the probe into the death of a prisoner, an AIADMK worker, in 2007 in Salem central prison.
Justice PN Prakash, before whom the officer appeared directed him to continue the probe and posted the matter after eight weeks.
The court had on June 1 directed Ramakrishnan, then a senior official of the Central Crime Branch, Salem city, to appear in person before it today.
The court was hearing a petition filed by P Pugalenthi, Director, Prisoners Rights Forum, here seeking expedition of the probe.

Referring to a report by then Deputy Jailor of Salem central Prison V Karuppan, Pugalenthi said Sukumar had complained of chest pain and when the Deputy Jailor made arrangements for an ambulance to take him to a hospital, the prison wardens were prevented by a group of prisoners led by former minister Selvaganapathi, from taking him for treatment.
They had smashed the stretcher before Sukumar was taken into the ambulance resulting in his death on June 9, 2007, the petition said.
Additional Public Prosecutor today informed the judge that the officer was now working at Nagapattinam and a request letter was addressed to superior Police officers about the order of the court entrusting the probe to Ramakrishnan.

Justice Prakash recorded the state government's submission that it would ask his higher officials to spare his services.