MADURAI: In a suspected case of suicide, a 40-year-old man collapsed and died at the all-women police station (AWPS) in South Veli Street area on Wednesday while being questioned by the police for allegedly sexually assaulting his daughter.
According to the police, the girl was taken to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) by her relatives on Monday for stomach pain. After examining her, the doctors found out that she was seven months pregnant and informed the police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Police officers and CWC members conducted an inquiry with the girl but the latter allegedly told them that she did not know who sexually assaulted her, sources said.
Police then informed the girl’s parents about her condition, but they did not turn up. Meanwhile, the town AWPS registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences adn asked the parents to come to the police station.
On Wednesday evening, the girl’s father reached the station, allegedly in an inebriated state, along with his wife, who police said has mental health issues.
While being interrogated, the man allegedly told police that he had sexually assaulted her and also sought their help to medically terminate her pregnancy.
Even as the questioning was on, the man reportedly collapsed. Police tried to revive him but their efforts failed. They then took him to the Government Rajaji Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police suspect that the man might have consumed poison before appearing for questioning. They are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain the cause of death. The man’s body was handed over to family members on Thursday after the postmortem.
The girl is under treatment at the GRH and is under the care of CWC.
(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on Tamil Nadu’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)
