Coimbatore, Aug 7 — In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about police response and mental health awareness, a 60-year-old man, allegedly chased by a group of 25 people, was found dead by suicide inside the Bazaar police station in Coimbatore on Wednesday morning.
The deceased, identified as A Rajan alias Arivoli Rajan, a resident of Ramachettipalayam near Perur, had reached the police station around 11:19 pm on Tuesday, pleading for protection.
According to officials, Head Constable Senthil Kumar was on duty when Rajan arrived and claimed that a mob was pursuing him. However, after verifying, the constable found no such threat in the vicinity and asked Rajan to return the next morning.
Unnoticed by staff, Rajan later entered the sub-inspector’s room on the first floor using the main staircase. His presence in the room went undetected overnight.
On Wednesday morning, when Sub-Inspector Nagaraj attempted to enter his office after roll call, he found the door locked from inside. Upon forcibly opening it, he discovered Rajan hanging from the ceiling fan, using his veshti.
The body was sent to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Timeline Confirmed via CCTV
Coimbatore City Police Commissioner A Saravana Sundar shared CCTV footage timelines confirming Rajan’s movements. He was seen alighting from a private bus at Townhall at 11:04 pm, then entering the Townhall police outpost and remaining there for about 10 minutes. He was later seen running towards Pothys Corner and eventually reaching Bazaar police station at 11:19 pm.
“He was asked to return in the morning, but he managed to stay near the station and later entered it without detection,” the commissioner said.
Investigation Ordered
The commissioner confirmed that the judicial magistrate will conduct an inquest, and an internal investigation led by the assistant commissioner has been launched. “Departmental action will be taken against the officers involved,” Sundar assured.
Family Speaks Out
Rajan’s elder sister, A Veeramani, said he had been mentally unstable for a few days, often claiming that people were trying to harm him. “He was unmarried and struggled with alcohol addiction. This may have led him to take such a step,” she said.
