Man dies after fall; kin allege custodial torture

Madurai: A 50-year-old man who suffered injuries on Wednesday after he accidentally fell from a short bridge while he was being questioned by the public on suspicion of theft died at Govt Rajaji Hospital in Madurai early on Friday.The deceased was identified as Lakshmanan of Immanuel Nagar at Avaniyapuram.Police said Lakshmanan was mentally disturbed. On Wednesday night, he allegedly rummaged through a temple hundial and stole a torchlight from a flower seller in the Vellakal area. He tried to run away, but passersby chased and caught him. They made him sit on a short bridge and was questioning him when he suddenly fell off the bridge and sustained injuries, police said.According to police, from the spot, Lakshmanan’s family members took him home. On Thursday, Lakshmanan’s health deteriorated and he was rushed to GRH. He, however, died around 4.30am on Friday.Meanwhile, on Friday, Lakshmanan’s kin alleged that he died after torture in police custody.However, police rebutted the charges stating that the deceased was not taken to the police station, and the family members themselves told the hospital staff that he suffered injuries in an accidental fall.No case has been registered.