Amid election campaigns, three custodial deaths were recorded in Madurai, Villupuram, and Chennai prisons, between April 5 and 16, said Tiphagne. Activists led by Kathir, under the banner Dalit Human Rights' Defenders' Network, met as many as 45 MPs to enact a draft bill on 'Freedom of Marriage and Association, and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of Honour, 2022' in the parliament. But, there was no response, he said.

A history-sheeter, G. Karthik, 32, of Yagappa Nagar here, who had been remanded in Madurai Central Prison on April 2 in connection with an extortion case died at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Friday morning due to ill health. However, his family members complained about police excess. Executive Director of People’s Watch Henri Tiphange said as per the High Court direction with regard to custodial death, only after the post-mortem report was handed over to the family members, they would accept the body.