Chennai Prisoner Dies After Collapse in Jail; Family Accuses Police of False Medical Certificate
A 29-year-old prisoner, who was arrested and placed in judicial custody on February 13, collapsed inside the remand prisoners' block at Puzhal Central Jail in Chennai on Wednesday. He was rushed to Government Stanley Hospital, where he was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit, but tragically succumbed at 4 PM on Thursday.
Family Alleges Police Obtained False Fitness Certificate
The family of the deceased has made serious allegations against the police, claiming that officers obtained a false medical fitness certificate before remanding him to Puzhal Central Prison. According to relatives, the prisoner had been complaining of illness on February 13, the day of his arrest, but his health concerns were allegedly ignored.
The prisoner has been identified as Punithan Mahimai Das, also known as Kelvin, a resident of Thiruneermalai Road near Tambaram in Chennai. He was arrested by the Shankar Nagar police on February 13 following a court-issued arrest warrant for failing to appear in a robbery case that was registered back in 2020.
Background of the Case and Health Complaints
Family members stated that Punithan could not appear in court for the past few months due to a death in the family. When police arrived to arrest him on February 13, the family immediately informed them about his health issues. They specifically mentioned that he had been complaining about symptoms related to an intestinal obstruction and urgently requested that he be taken to a hospital for a medical examination first.
The relatives further claimed that when police initially took him to a government hospital, doctors there examined him and confirmed that he had a medical condition requiring treatment. However, despite this diagnosis, the family alleges that police proceeded to obtain a fitness certificate from another doctor, which allowed them to remand Punithan into prison custody, disregarding his precarious health situation.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Concern
This incident has raised significant questions about the procedures followed during arrests and the handling of prisoners with medical conditions. The death of Punithan Mahimai Das highlights potential lapses in ensuring proper healthcare for individuals in custody, especially when there are pre-existing health complaints.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the medical fitness certificate and the overall treatment of the prisoner. The case underscores the need for stricter adherence to medical protocols and transparency in police custody processes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
