The Tamil Nadu police department has been surfaced with outrage after the death of a 22-year-old student, who had died a day after a release from police custody. The family of the deceased student allege that he was beaten and tortured by the police and they have been protesting against the incident and with the demand for justice, by initiating stern action against the police officers. 

22-year-old Manikandan was a native of Neerkozhiyenthal village near Mudukulathur in the Ramanathapuram district and he was studying in Kamuthi. On Saturday, the police officials of the Keezhathooval station were conducting vehicle checks on the Paramakudi- Keezhathooval road during which they had stopped Manikandan, who was riding a two-wheeler, with his friend riding pillion. When he was stopped, it was alleged that Manikandan continued his speed and didn't adhere to the police officers. The officers had then chased and stopped him. 

He was brought to the Keezhathooval police station where he was questioned for 2.5 hours. After questioning, the police officials had informed Manikandan's mother and asked her to take her son from the station. It has been reported that Manikandan had sustained injuries and he told his mother that he was beaten up by the police officers. In the wee hours of Sunday, he was lying unconscious in his home and he was immediately rushed to the Mudukulathur General Hospital. However, Manikandan was declared dead following which his family and relatives conducted a protest outside the hospital by blocking the road and they demanded justice for Manikandan. 

His family had alleged that the police officers of Keezhathooval station were responsible for Manikandan's death as he was beaten and tortured by them. However, Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police (SP) Karthik IPS had denied allegations of custodial torture. He said Manikandan didn't cooperate during the vehicle check due to which the police had to track him and bring him back to the station for a short enquiry. SP Karthik claimed that the police had CCTV visual, audio recordings, and other evidence to prove that there was no custodial torture in Manikandan's case.

As per the CCTV footage from the station, the visual had shown that Manikandan was arriving at the police station along with the police officers and he was questioned by a senior officer without physically touching him. Though Manikandan was questioned for around two hours, only two minutes of CCTV footage is made public. The SP added that soon after Manikandan was brought to the station, the police officers had informed Manikandan's mother, who was present throughout the enquiry proceedings. 

SP Karthik further said that Manikandan's mother, a village head, and one more person had arrived at the police station on Saturday following the call from the police and they had picked up Manikandan. The police officers have said that there were no injury marks on his body and Manikandan was let off with a warning. The FIR wasn't filed against him as he was a student. On the other hand, the family and the relatives had held a protest and refused to accept his body. Social media had also seen hashtag #JusticeForManikandan trending after the issue came to light. 

The preliminary report of autopsy examination had revealed that there were no external injuries on the body and his body had signs of food choking and blood and liquid were found in the stomach which may be due to poisoning or consuming alcohol in excess. A sample of the liquid has been sent for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of death. According to reports, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had on Tuesday passed an order to perform an autopsy on Manikandan's body for the second time.