Magisterial probe into auto driver’s death in Chennai

CHENNAI: A magisterial inquiry has been initiated after an auto driver died on Monday when he was taken to hospital by a police personnel amidst allegations of custodial death.

“On Monday, around 2.30 pm, R Jay Ganesh (37) of Choolaimedu had returned from a temple at Keelkattalai. He got off a government bus at Guindy and complained of chest pain while sitting on the pavement. A traffic policeman who spotted him, rushed him to the government hospital at K K Nagar in a share auto,” said his relative Mohanavel, who was waiting at the Government Royapettah hospital mortuary.

“I had called his phone in the afternoon, when the nurse at the hospital told me that he had been admitted to the hospital. When I reached the place, I was informed he died on the way to the hospital. The body had been shifted to Government Royapettah hospital,” he said.

The relative further added that Jay Ganesh had given up drinking a week ago and was depressed over family issues that could have caused stress. “He would often visit the temple at Keelkattalai,” he added.

Meanwhile, there were allegations that the man had got into a fight with police when they asked him to produce his vehicle documents. Later, he was taken to Guindy police station where he allegedly complained of chest pain and died while being taken to the hospital.

“On Tuesday, the police registered a case under section 176 (Inquiry by magistrate into cause of death) CrPC, said a senior police officer. He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the autorickshaw driver died of natural cause.  Jay Ganesh is survived by wife Kamakshi and two children- both below six years of age.