Police must submit a supplementary report within 60 days after the court criticized the earlier inquiry.
The XVI Additional Sessions Court in Chennai ordered a fresh investigation into actor Saranraj’s 2023 death. Judge C. Sanjai Baba rejected the police’s initial conclusion that it was a traffic accident and described the earlier inquiry as perfunctory and “tainted.”
Saranraj, 29, died on the night of June 7, 2023, after a car collided with his two-wheeler on Arcot Road. Police initially registered a case involving rash driving and death by negligence. His mother, K. Mariyammal, later petitioned the court, alleging that acquaintances killed him over a financial dispute. Her allegations named art directors Palaniappan and Durairaj and their associates. They remain allegations to be investigated.
After reviewing CCTV footage and digital material submitted by the mother, the court said the car driven by the accused deliberately struck the two-wheeler from behind and pinned Saranraj against a roadside structure. That contradicted the police’s earlier theory that the car had first collided with another vehicle.
The judge directed the Director-General of Police to initiate legal and departmental action against the original investigating officer, Inspector Akila, over alleged evidence suppression and a false report. She was removed from investigative duties for at least three years. A new officer must conduct a comprehensive inquiry and file a supplementary final report within 60 days. The fresh-investigation order is not a final verdict on criminal guilt.