Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Court-Ordered Autopsy Probes Priest’s Death After Police Custody
A priest named Paramasivam died after being taken to a police station.
His family says police officers beat him and caused serious injuries.
Police deny this and say he fell accidentally.
A video of Paramasivam allegedly making an accusation before his death spread online.
The Madras High Court ordered an investigation into what happened.
A judicial magistrate watched a post-mortem examination at a government hospital.
Three senior forensic doctors were assigned to examine the evidence.
The court also ordered an examination of the police station’s CCTV cameras.
A post-mortem was conducted on 55-year-old priest Paramasivam at Government Rajaji Hospital in the presence of a judicial magistrate.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered a judicial inquiry and a three-member forensic panel to examine the death.
Paramasivam’s family alleged that police assaulted him after taking him to Chinthamani police station on July 18.
Paramasivam was hospitalized on August 11 and died during treatment on August 15.
Police denied the assault allegation and said Paramasivam died after an accidental fall.
- Who
- Paramasivam, his family, police personnel named in the allegation, the Madras High Court, and the judicial inquiry team.
- What
- A court-ordered post-mortem and judicial inquiry are examining Paramasivam’s death following allegations of police assault.
- When
- Paramasivam was taken to the police station on July 18, hospitalized on August 11, died on August 15, and the court issued directions on August 17; the post-mortem was conducted on Tuesday.
- Where
- The alleged incident occurred at Chinthamani police station in Madurai, and the post-mortem was conducted at Government Rajaji Hospital.
- Why
- Paramasivam’s wife sought justice after the family alleged that police assault caused his death, while police maintained that he died after an accidental fall.
Family’s Allegation
Police Account
Cause of death
Family’s Allegation
Paramasivam’s family alleged that Inspector Vijayabaskar, Sub-Inspector Jayakumar and constables Anand and Abdul Mohammed assaulted him, causing bleeding in his brain.
Police Account
Police denied assaulting Paramasivam and maintained that he died after an accidental fall.
Evidence under examination
Family’s Allegation
The family pointed to a video in which Paramasivam allegedly said before his death that police personnel had assaulted him.
Police Account
The police station’s CCTV footage and whether any footage was deleted are being examined under the court’s directions.
- Deceased
- Paramasivam, a 55-year-old priest from Mela Anuppanadi
- Alleged police station visit
- July 18, following a dispute with neighbours
- Date of death
- August 15, during treatment at a private hospital
- Court
- Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
- Post-mortem panel
- Three senior forensic medicine professors from government medical college hospitals in Madurai, Theni and Sivaganga
- Judicial inquiry
- Conducted by Madurai District Judicial Magistrate V Lakshmipriya
- CCTV review
- Advocate Ayiram Sivakumar was appointed to examine cameras at Chinthamani police station