Ariyalur: A 48-year-old Home Guard who was allegedly assaulted by three men after he and a police constable questioned them for drinking alcohol in a public place in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district succumbed to his injuries at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital on Saturday night, police said.

Source: The Times of India via Khelja

The deceased was identified as C Venkatesan, 48, a resident of Nakkambadi near Sendurai in Ariyalur district. On the night of October 29, Venkatesan was accompanying police constable Rajakannan, 32, on a two-wheeler as part of a mobile patrol within the limits of Thalavai police station.

During the patrol, the two personnel spotted three men allegedly consuming alcohol in a public place and questioned them. The men allegedly turned violent and assaulted the personnel, and reportedly pelted stones at them, leaving Venkatesan with serious head injuries. India Today reported that the personnel had first warned the trio near a private cement factory and questioned them again when they were allegedly found drinking near a Vinayagar temple in the early hours.

Source: India Today via News89

"Venkatesan was first admitted to Ariyalur government hospital and was later referred to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for intensive care. He sustained facial bone fractures in the assault. His condition deteriorated and he died at the hospital on Saturday night," S Selvakumar, Superintendent of Police, Ariyalur, told The Times of India. Constable Rajakannan, who was also injured in the attack, is stable, police said.

48age of Home Guard C Venkatesan
3accused arrested and remanded
Oct 29night of the alleged assault during patrol

The three accused — Mathivanan, 26, Thamaraikannan, 24, and Parithi, 25, all residents of Silappanur village — were arrested on Saturday, October 31, and remanded to judicial custody. Police said murder charges will now be added following Venkatesan's death. The allegations against them are yet to be tested in court.

Venkatesan is survived by two children — a son studying in Class VIII and a daughter in Class VI; his wife had passed away a few years ago. His mother, C Kanagavalli, has appealed to the government to provide an appointment to a family member and financial assistance so that the children's education is not disrupted. Ariyalur police said they would recommend financial compensation for the family over and above the statutory solatium.