Chennai: Tension prevailed outside Selaiyur police station on Thursday after relatives of Balaji, 45, who died in Puzhal Prison while in judicial custody, staged a protest alleging foul play and demanding a fair probe.The deceased was arrested by Selaiyur police on July 12 for transporting banned gutka in a goods autorickshaw along with an accomplice. He was remanded in judicial custody and lodged at Puzhal Prison.Police said Balaji developed chest pain on July 15 and died despite medical attention. His family, however, claimed that he was falsely implicated in the gutka case and that he died following custodial assault.More than 50 relatives gathered outside the police station, prompting the deployment of around 50 police personnel to prevent any untoward incident. The protesters dispersed after senior police officers held talks with them and assured them of appropriate action.Based on a complaint from the family, Puzhal police registered a case and launched an investigation into the death. The protest also caused traffic disruption on the Tambaram-Velachery Main Road.
