Chennai, Jan 8

The minor boy, who was allegedly shot in his throat by a police inspector inside a police station here Tuesday, is on the way to recovery after an operation, an officer said.

"The boy underwent an operation yesterday (Tuesday) night. The operation lasted for around two-and-half hours. There was no damage to his vocal chords, only some tissues were damaged," the officer told IANS, preferring anonymity.

The 16-year-old boy was picked up by the Neelaankari police officers for an enquiry about a theft in a temple Monday and was detained in the station that night, a violation of the norms. The boy's parents were not informed about his detention.

According to a police officer, Inspector R. Pushparaj Tuesday threatened the boy with his revolver to tell the truth.

The police said the revolver went off accidentally when Pushparaj was cleaning the weapon.

A FIR against Pushparaj has been registered and an inquiry has been ordered against him.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa addressed police officials last month and termed custodial death a travesty of justice, and said the dead are not simply a statistic for their loved ones.

"When police are expected to protect the lives of citizens in their homes, work places and in public, it would be a travesty of justice if a citizen dies within the precincts of a police station," she said.

Jayalalithaa said instances are reported of suspects dying suddenly after developing illness while in a police station or committing suicide while in custody.

"When you arrest nine lakh people, an odd death in custody here and there may appear to be statistically negligible. But a dead man is not a mere statistic for his loved ones," said the chief minister, who holds the home portfolio.

By:IANS