VELLORE: A 41-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly assaulting Kalasappakkam MLA V. Panneerselvam passed away at the Government Medical College Hospital here on Wednesday. Hospital and police sources said Vasanthamani had multiple health issues and was on ventilator support since January 26.
While relatives of Vasanthamani alleged that he died due to the injuries inflicted upon by supporters of the MLA, the hospital sources said he was operated for haemorrhage on Friday last.
He was arrested on January 22 after he allegedly abused Panneerselvam, assaulted him and vandalised his residence after the MLA allegedly failed to pay the bills incurred for a function to commemorate late M. G. Ramachandran’s birth anniversary on January 17 held in Kalasappakkam in Tiruvannamalai district.
As the death of Vasanthamani spread, his relatives and neighbours blocked the road leading to Kalasappakkam bus stand and demanded that Panneerselvam be arrested immediately for “causing the death.” The issue between the MLA and Vasanthamani began after the latter was hired by the AIADMK to decorate the venue for the MGR centenary celebrations.
Sources said Vasanthamani had approached Panneerselvam after the function for payments, but he was allegedly paid in installments. Vasanthamani’s relatives allege that the MLA abused him after he began asking for the balance payment.
However, Vasanthamani went to the MLA’s house on January 22 in an inebriated condition and damaged the windshield of his car. Later, he went to a marriage hall in the town and punched on his face. Angered over this, the MLA and his supporters beat him up and handed him over to police. He was lodged in the Vellore Central Prison on January 23 and was admitted to the hospital on January 26.
