Goa, July 14 -- A physically disabled man arrested in an alleged illegal gutka and pan masala sale case was found dead while in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu's Nagercoil, triggering protests and political backlash. The deceased, identified as Sabarivarman, had been arrested for the third time on charges related to the illegal sale of banned tobacco products and was remanded to judicial custody by a local court on July 9.

Prison officials discovered him dead inside the jail early on Monday, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. A senior IPS officer said authorities would examine CCTV footage from the prison to determine whether jail staff or fellow inmates played any role. Investigators will also record...