Disabled man caught for selling gutka dies in custody; DMK seeks answers from Vijay
The custodial death of a physically disabled gutka sale accused has sparked outrage in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK demanding action against police personnel and answers from Chief Minister Vijay, who also holds the Home portfolio.
A physically disabled man arrested in connection with an illegal gutka sale case was found dead in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu's Nagercoil, triggering protests by family members and local residents, who blocked roads alleging custodial torture. The incident has sparked outrage, including from the political front, with the DMK targeting the Vijay-led TVK government and seeking Chief Minister Vijay's response.
The victim, identified as Sabarivarman, was arrested by police on allegations of illegally selling gutka and pan masala products. According to officials, this was the third time he had been booked for the same offence. He was remanded to judicial custody on July 9 by a Nagercoil court.
Sabarivarman was found dead inside the prison in the early hours of Monday.
Confirming the death, a senior IPS officer told India Today TV that investigators would examine CCTV footage from the prison to determine whether any jail personnel or fellow inmates had a role in the incident.
"We will check if there was any role of cops or co-prisoners using CCTV camera footage," the officer said.
The official also noted that Sabarivarman had a mild physical disability.
An eyewitness claimed there were around four external injuries visible on Sabarivarman's body. However, officials said the exact cause of death would be known only after the postmortem examination.
<>Police said the investigation would focus on reconstructing the events leading up to Sabarivarman's death, including scrutiny of CCTV footage and statements from prison staff and inmates.
DMK SEEKS VIJAY'S ANSWERS, DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST COPS
As the death sparked outrage, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said he was "shocked" to learn about the incident and demanded action against the police personnel involved if allegations of custodial violence were found to be true. He said the victim was in good health at the time of his arrest and highlighted the family's allegations that he had multiple injury marks on his body. The opposition leader also sought Chief Minister Vijay's response on the matter.
"The police say that Sabarivarman, who was in good health when he was arrested, died of ill health when he was sent to jail after the investigation.
However, Sabarivarman’s family is protesting that the deceased Sabarivarman had injuries all over his body and that the police beat him to death without considering that he was disabled. The Chief Minister, who is in control of the police, should give a befitting reply to this," Udananidhi wrote on X.
He also pointed out that a TVK functionary was recently arrested in a gutka-related case but was granted bail on the same day. "Attitude of the police that there is one law for a common man like Sabarivarman and another law for an TVK executive, is condemnable," the former deputy chief minister said.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu. The most prominent case remains the 2020 custodial deaths of father-son duo P Jayaraj and J Bennix in Thoothukudi, which drew nationwide attention. In April this year, nine policemen were awarded the death penalty in connection with the case.
The state has also witnessed several other alleged custodial deaths in recent years, including those of Ajith Kumar in Sivaganga and Marimuthu in Tiruppur in 2025, both of which triggered widespread public outrage and demands for accountability.
A physically disabled man arrested in connection with an illegal gutka sale case was found dead in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu's Nagercoil, triggering protests by family members and local residents, who blocked roads alleging custodial torture. The incident has sparked outrage, including from the political front, with the DMK targeting the Vijay-led TVK government and seeking Chief Minister Vijay's response.
The victim, identified as Sabarivarman, was arrested by police on allegations of illegally selling gutka and pan masala products. According to officials, this was the third time he had been booked for the same offence. He was remanded to judicial custody on July 9 by a Nagercoil court.
Sabarivarman was found dead inside the prison in the early hours of Monday.
Confirming the death, a senior IPS officer told India Today TV that investigators would examine CCTV footage from the prison to determine whether any jail personnel or fellow inmates had a role in the incident.
"We will check if there was any role of cops or co-prisoners using CCTV camera footage," the officer said.
The official also noted that Sabarivarman had a mild physical disability.
An eyewitness claimed there were around four external injuries visible on Sabarivarman's body. However, officials said the exact cause of death would be known only after the postmortem examination.
<>Police said the investigation would focus on reconstructing the events leading up to Sabarivarman's death, including scrutiny of CCTV footage and statements from prison staff and inmates.
DMK SEEKS VIJAY'S ANSWERS, DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST COPS
As the death sparked outrage, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said he was "shocked" to learn about the incident and demanded action against the police personnel involved if allegations of custodial violence were found to be true. He said the victim was in good health at the time of his arrest and highlighted the family's allegations that he had multiple injury marks on his body. The opposition leader also sought Chief Minister Vijay's response on the matter.
"The police say that Sabarivarman, who was in good health when he was arrested, died of ill health when he was sent to jail after the investigation.
However, Sabarivarman’s family is protesting that the deceased Sabarivarman had injuries all over his body and that the police beat him to death without considering that he was disabled. The Chief Minister, who is in control of the police, should give a befitting reply to this," Udananidhi wrote on X.
He also pointed out that a TVK functionary was recently arrested in a gutka-related case but was granted bail on the same day. "Attitude of the police that there is one law for a common man like Sabarivarman and another law for an TVK executive, is condemnable," the former deputy chief minister said.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu. The most prominent case remains the 2020 custodial deaths of father-son duo P Jayaraj and J Bennix in Thoothukudi, which drew nationwide attention. In April this year, nine policemen were awarded the death penalty in connection with the case.
The state has also witnessed several other alleged custodial deaths in recent years, including those of Ajith Kumar in Sivaganga and Marimuthu in Tiruppur in 2025, both of which triggered widespread public outrage and demands for accountability.
