Thu Jul 31 23:05:08 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Marimuthu, a 48-year-old member of the Mudhuvar tribal community from the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, died while in the custody of the Udumalpet Forest Range Office. He was being interrogated regarding a wildlife offence after being acquitted of a previous ganja case. While authorities claim he died by suicide in the toilet, his family and community leaders allege custodial death, citing his strong character and raising suspicions of foul play by forest personnel. A police investigation is underway, and demands are being made for a thorough inquiry under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, overseen by the CB CID.

**News Article:**

**Tribal Man’s Death in Forest Custody Sparks Outrage in Tamil Nadu**

**TIRUPPUR, August 1, 2025** – A 48-year-old tribal man, Marimuthu, from the Kurumalai settlement in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, was found dead in the Udumalpet Forest Range Office early Thursday morning, triggering accusations of “custodial death” from his community.

Marimuthu, a member of the Mudhuvar tribal community, was reportedly being questioned in connection with a wildlife offence. This occurred shortly after he had been acquitted in a 2022 ganja case by the Udumalpet Court. According to his family, he was intercepted on Wednesday as he returned to his home near Marayoor in Kerala, where he had relocated after securing anticipatory bail, and brought back to the Forest Range Office.

Forest Department officials claim that Marimuthu requested to use the toilet and subsequently took his own life. However, his death has been met with strong skepticism and allegations of murder by forest personnel.

“Marimuthu was a gritty person; this is a clear case of custodial death,” alleged G. Selvan, State Joint Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Tribal Association, in a formal complaint to the police.

Pandiammal, Marimuthu’s wife, has also filed a complaint, stating her suspicion that her husband was murdered by forest officials while in “illegal” custody. She is demanding an in-camera post-mortem examination in the presence of senior government officials.

The Udumalpet police have registered a case under Section 196 of BNNS, 2023, pertaining to custodial death.

A senior police official confirmed that an investigation is underway. Tribal rights activist G. Thanaraj is demanding a thorough investigation by the CB CID under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of tribal communities and accountability within the Forest Department.

Read More