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.
Kumar further alleged that, even before they reached the hospital, the staff informed them that doctors had declared Govindan dead. “By the time we reached the hospital, we were told that my brother’s body had been shifted to the mortuary. We noticed deep injury marks on his hands, legs, knees and mouth, which indicated that he had been beaten,” he said.
According to Kumar, the family was initially unsure of the next step. Hospital staff advised them to take the body to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital or another facility. “We hired an ambulance at our own expense to take the body for a post-mortem. Nearly a month has passed since my brother’s death, but we have not received the post-mortem report. We want justice for my brother,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Moulivakkam police registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS for suspicious death and launched an investigation. The FIR and related documents were forwarded to the jurisdictional magistrate at Sriperumbudur.
An Inspector of Police said: “We have registered a case and taken up the investigation. As per our initial findings, we suspect that the death may be related to his long-term alcoholism. We are awaiting the post-mortem report. Further action will be taken, if necessary, after its receipt.”
A representative of the rehabilitation centre denied the allegations and said: “The patient was admitted about a week before the incident. There was no excess or misconduct on our part. We deny that he was beaten. He died due to cardiomyopathy, as he was an alcoholic.”
Published – January 23, 2026 12:13 am IST
