MADURAI: A 42-year-old differently-abled Dalit man hung himself from a tree opposite a school in Gowripalayam on Monday night.
Alleging that police highhandedness caused the suicide, rights activists staged a protest near the mortuary of a government hospital.
Police said that Annadurai of Mathichiyam hanged from the tree and that his tricycle was found near the tree.
The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled and Caregivers said the suicide was due to harassment by a special sub-inspector of police from Mathichiyam.
However, police said that Annadurai was arrested for a theft case based on a complaint from his neighbour Sebastin at the Mathichiyam police station and that after investigation, they filed a case against Annadurai. Meanwhile, Annadurai got an anticipatory bail from a court. On April 28 Annadurai was released on bail and was asked to sign with the Mathichiyam police station, during which the SSI allegedly harassed him. Annadurai petitioned the City Police Commissioner, the DGP and other senior officials seeking action against the SSI.
Janaki (60), mother of the deceased, filed a complaint with the Tallakulam police station alleging that her son had committed suicide due to torture by the SSI.
A senior police officer said that the deceased had two pending cases against him including a sexual harassment case and that family constraints made him take the extreme step.