A 41-year-old man died under suspicious circumstances at a de-addiction centre in Kolapakkam. His relatives have alleged that he was beaten to death by the staff of the centre.
The victim — D. Govindan of Vishalakshi Nagar in Mylapore — worked as a driver of a car and a van for supplying water cans. He had been an alcoholic for the past 15 years.
In December last year, Govindan reportedly expressed his desire to reform, and asked his brother Kumar to admit him at a de-addiction centre. He also wished to get married and lead a peaceful life after overcoming his addiction. Following this, Kumar admitted Govindan to Insight Rehabs in Kolapakkam on December 18.
In his complaint to the police, Kumar said: “The staff of the centre told us that we could meet my brother only after a month. We, therefore, refrained from visiting him, but stayed in touch with the staff over the phone to enquire about his health. We were told that Govindan was healthy. When my sister Sumaya called the centre at 5.45 p.m. on December 26, a nurse informed her that my brother was doing well.”
However, Kumar said that at 8.28 p.m. on December 26, a staff member from the rehabilitation centre called him and said Govindan’s pulse rate was dropping. “They told us that my brother was being taken to a hospital and asked us to come to the Government Hospital in Chromepet,” he said.
