In yet another blow to public trust in Tamil Nadu’s police force, a CCTV video has surfaced showing uniformed officers brutally assaulting an auto driver inside the Devadanapatti police station in Theni district. The footage, dated January 14, only came to light on Wednesday—just days after the Sivaganga custodial death case sparked widespread condemnation.
The man in the video has been identified as C. Ramesh, a resident of Devadanapatti. He is seen being slapped, kicked, and shoved by at least five police personnel, including the station inspector, despite not offering any visible resistance. No complaint had been registered until the video emerged online.
According to the police’s earlier version, Ramesh was taken into custody on Pongal day for allegedly creating a nuisance near Arisikadai bus stop in an inebriated state. He was booked under Section 296(b) of the IPC and released later on station bail. Officials claimed he was behaving aggressively even inside the station.
However, the CCTV footage contradicts the police narrative, showing unprovoked assault on Ramesh. In response, Theni SP R. Shiva Prasad has ordered an internal enquiry by the Additional Superintendent of Police (ADSP), and five policemen, including the station inspector, have been transferred to the Armed Reserve (AR) pending investigation.
Defending the action, the SP said “minimal force” was used to manage the situation, but added that a detailed probe is underway.