Close on the heels of the arrest of three prison staff, the Kanniyakumari district police have taken into custody eight inmates of the Kanniyakumari district jail in Nagercoil in connection with the death of 35-year-old remand prisoner S. Sabari Varman in the early hours of Monday (July 13, 2026). With the post mortem report revealing injuries on his body, the police have alerted the case of suspicious death to that of murder. However, the motive for the murder was still being probed.
According to police, Sabari Varman, a differently-abled man of Ethankadu was arrested by the police on Thursday (July 9) for selling banned tobacco products. A case was registered against him at South Thamaraikulam police station, following which he was remanded in judicial custody at the district jail in Nagercoil on the same day.
Police added that he was found unconscious at his cell in the early hours of Monday and was taken to Kanniyakumari Government Medical College and Hospital (KKGMCH) in Asaripallam, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
His family and relatives staged a demonstration in front of KKGMCH, demanding a probe into the death, stating that they would receive the body only after cause of death was established and action was taken against those responsible.
S. Sabari Varman | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The post-mortem examination of Sabari Varman, conducted at KKGMCH on Tuesday (July 14), revealed 19 injuries on his body, including abrasion seen over various parts of the body and contusion over the back of right hand. Further examination found the underlying right and second metacarpal bone had sustained a shaft fracture.
Against this backdrop, chief head warder N. Suresh alias Thirumalainambi, grade-I warder N. Jehan and grade-II warder J. Sibakumar were arrested on Tuesday (July 14) and case was registered against them at Nesamoni Nagar police station under the sections 196 BNSS at 191(2), 296(b),115(2), 118(1), 103(1), 61(2), 238 BNS Act.
Upon further investigation of warders and other inquiries eight prison mates were arrested on Wednesday (July 15). They were identified as V. Vishnu (21) of Unnamalaikadai, A. Sarathi alias cross Sarathi (19) of Rajakkamnagalamthurai, A. Jegan (40) of Thirparappu, J. Sarath (20) of Chenkody, R. Veriya Perumal (36) of Kalakkad, G. Sethuram (30) of Eraniel, A. Ajith (29) of Kottaram and R. Aravind (27) of Agastheeswaram.
Police altered the case to include section 103 of BNS and added the eight inmates as accused.
Meanwhile, DMK deputy general secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi visited the family of Sabari Varman and offered her condolences on Wednesday.
Addressing the media later, she said when a mistake occurs, the government must take responsibility. “This government continuously tries to shift blame onto someone else and they are not prepared to take responsibility.”
She added that even the Minister from the district had not come forward to console the bereaved family, and no assistance had so far been announced by the government.
Ms. Kanimozhi said the family lacked confidence in the government and had called for the case to be transferred to the CBI for probe.
Published - July 16, 2026 12:18 am IST