While opposition parties have stepped up their demand for a CBI probe, the Tamil Nadu Prison Department has suspended and arrested Chief Head Warden Thirumalai Nambi Suresh and wardens Sivakumar and Jegan at the Nagercoil sub-jail following the custodial death of 35-year-old Sabari Varman. His post-mortem revealed 19 injuries, sparking protests by the victim’s family and widespread political outrage.
The deceased, the owner of a grocery shop, was arrested by the South Thamaraikulam police on July 9 for allegedly selling banned tobacco products at his shop in Ethankadu. Police said 15 packets of banned tobacco products were seized from the shop. He was later remanded to judicial custody by a Nagercoil court and lodged in the district prison.
A 35-year-old, S. Sabari Varman of Ethankadu near South Thamaraikulam, was arrested by the South Thamaraikulam police on July 9 for allegedly selling banned gutka products. He was a remand prisoner lodged at the Nagercoil sub-jail in Kanniyakumari district and died on Monday, July 13. The death triggered protests by his family, who alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture and demanded an impartial investigation.
Police claimed that Sabari Varman developed a sudden health issue in the early hours of July 13 while lodged in the sub-jail. He was rushed to the Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital at Asaripallam, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Despite assurances from Kanniyakumari Superintendent of Police R. Stalin, the family continued to refuse to accept the body, insisting that the exact cause of death be established first.
Family members of the deceased alleged, “We have evidence to prove that the South Thamaraikulam SI received a bribe.” One of them said, “We want justice. The injuries on his body clearly show he was assaulted by the police. We will not take the body until those responsible are held accountable.”
#WATCH | “தெற்கு தாமரைக்குளம் SI-தான் காரணம்.. போலீஸ் லஞ்சம் வாங்குனதுக்கு ஆதாரம் ஃபோன்ல இருக்கு”
நாகர்கோவில் சபரிவர்மன் காவல் மரணம் – குடும்பத்தினர் கூறும் பகீர் தகவல்கள்#SunNews | #CustodialDeath | #Nagercoil pic.twitter.com/sCaAJA4xeD
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) July 15, 2026
They have demanded a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death, saying, “Something has happened. There are no complete details in the autopsy report.”
"ஏதோ குளறுபடி நடக்கு.. சிபிஐ விசாரணை வேணும்"#CBI | #Nagercoil | #Prisoner | #Death pic.twitter.com/yzgkCPoClp
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) July 15, 2026
A social media post stated: “Sabarivarman died in police custody on 13th July in Nagercoil. He was arrested on July 9. The post-mortem has revealed 19 injuries on his body. Based on CCTV footage, it was revealed that prison wardens, along with co-prisoners, beat him to death. Three prison wardens have been arrested.”
Sabarivarman died in police custody on 13th July in Nagercoil,He was arrested on 9th July.Postmortem has revealed 19 injuries on his body.Based on CCTV visual examination,it was revealed that the prison wardens along with co-prisoners beat him upto death.3 prison wardens arrested https://t.co/kAv7SnVRQ2
— SVP Coimbatore (@UMOCOIMBATORE) July 14, 2026
Nesamony Nagar police have registered a case in connection with the death, and further investigation is underway. The arrests of Chief Jail Warden Thirumalai Nambi Suresh and jail wardens Jagen and Sivakumar of the Nagercoil district jail came hours after a post-mortem report revealed 19 injuries on the victim’s body, including injuries to his elbows, forearms, knees and legs.
A panel of doctors from the Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospitals conducted the post-mortem after the victim’s family demanded that the autopsy be conducted by an independent panel of experts.
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran condemned Sabari Varman’s custodial death and demanded a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding it.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, on July 15, demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of Sabari Varman, while Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, on July 14, sought a fair probe into the death and demanded an explanation from the government. The CPI state executive committee and NTK leader Seeman demanded the registration of a murder case against the accused and ₹25 lakh compensation for the victim’s family.
உலுக்கிய சிறை மர**ம்.. மாற்றுத்திறனாளி உடலில் 19 இடங்களில் காயங்கள்.. திடுக்கிடும் அதிர்ச்சி தகவல்கள்..!#Kanniyakumari | #Police | #Arrest | #Protest | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/gZDHOzt4xm
— Polimer News (@polimernews) July 15, 2026
Before this incident could die down, another prisoner lodged in Puzhal prison died under mysterious circumstances.
புழல் சிறையில் விசாரணை கைதி மரண***..!#Chennai | #PuzhalJail | #Prisoner | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/1sQbZFto3V
— Polimer News (@polimernews) July 15, 2026
Reports said that kiosk owner Balaji, who had been remanded to Central Puzhal Prison for allegedly selling banned gutka products, died of a heart attack, according to jail sources. However, his family members alleged that he died due to assaults by jail wardens and sought a fair and thorough probe.
Critics say the recurring custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu indicate a pattern of excessive force by law enforcement authorities and raise serious questions over the functioning of the state’s police and prison administration. They argue that the responsibility ultimately rests with the state government, which is accountable for ensuring the safety of accused persons and convicts in custody. They also point to the recent Madurai court verdict awarding the death penalty to nine policemen in a custodial torture and murder case involving a theft accused, in which the court observed that “where there is power, there should be responsibility”.
