Sessions Court orders fresh investigation into actor Saranraj’s death in 2023, slams police for ‘tainted’ probe

The XVI Additional Sessions Court has ordered a fresh investigation into the death of actor Saranraj, rejecting the police’s initial conclusion that it was in a motor vehicle accident.

The judge, C. Sanjai Baba, strongly criticised the original investigating officer (IO), accusing her of conducting a perfunctory and “tainted” probe to shield the accused.

Saranraj, 29, had acted in notable films, including Asuran, Vada Chennai, and Viduthalai. He passed away on the night of June 7, 2023, after a car collided with his two-wheeler on t Arcot Road.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s wife, the Guindy Traffic Police Station initially registered a case under sections concerning rash driving and causing death by negligence.

After the police filed the final reports in the court, the deceased’s mother, K. Mariyammal, filed two petitions contending that her son’s death was not an accident, but a murder orchestrated by his acquaintances — art directors Palaniappan, Durairaj, and their associates — over financial disputes.

Reviewing CCTV footage and digital evidence submitted by the petitioner (the actor’s mother), the court said the car driven by the accused deliberately rammed the victim’s two-wheeler from behind and crushed him against a pillar-like structure, contradicting the police’s conjecture that the car hit another vehicle first.

The court also directed the Director-General of Police (DGP) to initiate legal and departmental action against then IO – Inspector Akila – for suppressing vital material evidence and filing a false report. She has been stripped of all investigative powers for at least three years.

The DGP must depute a sincere and honest officer of appropriate designation to conduct a comprehensive investigation and file a supplementary final report within 60 days.