Beaten in front of family by cop, TN painter sets self ablaze, dies

CHENNAI: A 42-year-old house painter, Srinivasan, who set himself ablaze after he was allegedly beaten up by

police

at Puzhal in Chennai, died of burn injuries on Sunday.

Inspector Bensam has been placed under suspension, police said.

In a video recorded by his brother at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital where he was admitted for treatment on Saturday, Srinivasan said Rajendran, his landlord, an AIADMK functionary, had brought the inspector to put pressure on him to vacate the house. Sources said Srinivasan was unable to pay house rent for the past three months. He rented the house a year ago and lived there with his wife and two daughters.

Police allege that Srinivasan habitually created a rukus after getting drunk. They said neighbours complained about him to the landlord on Saturday, and that a police team went to the spot after the landlord informed them about the matter. Inspector Bensam allegedly beat up Srinivasan over the complaint. Police alleged that Srinivasan was drunk at that time. Relatives alleged that Srinivasan set himself on fire as he was unable to bear the humiliation of being beaten up by police in front of his family and neighbours.