Chennai, March 8 -- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan demanded a thorough investigation into the death of a Dalit youth, Akash Denison, who died while under police custody after being arrested in connection with an assault case in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district.

Reacting to reports of the custodial death, Thirumavalavan alleged that the youth had informed his family about police assault and caste-based abuse before his death. "The youth had reportedly told his parents that he was assaulted by police who abused him using caste slurs and allegedly assaulted him for daring to attack youths belonging to an upper caste. Blood was drawn from his body during the assault," the VCK leader said on Saturday.

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