The investigation into the death of supporting actor Saranraj has been given another 30 days after the Chennai Sessions Court was told that investigators needed more time to examine CCTV footage and file an additional final report.
The case relates to the death of Saranraj, 29, a resident of Dhanalakshmi Nagar in Maduravoyal, who was killed in a car collision near Virugambakkam on June 7, 2023. The Guindy Traffic Investigation Police initially registered a case and conducted an investigation into the incident.
Saranraj’s mother, Mariammal, later approached the 16th Additional Sessions Court seeking a reinvestigation. The court, presided over by Judge Sanjaybaba, found lapses in the investigation and ordered that the case be reinvestigated by a fair and appropriate officer. It also directed that an additional final report be filed within 60 days.
As part of the court’s earlier action, Inspector Akila of the Guindy Traffic Investigation wing was removed from investigative duties for three years. The order followed the court’s finding that the original probe had not adequately addressed issues raised in the case.
When the matter came up for hearing again, Additional Public Prosecutor Adhil appeared for the government and submitted a report from the Director General of Police’s office. The report stated that Assistant Commissioner Arokiya Ravindran had been appointed as the new investigating officer in place of Mohanraj.
The prosecution told the court that the renewed investigation included an examination of CCTV footage and that the investigating team required an additional 30 days to complete the process. The court accepted the request and adjourned the matter to the 18th of next month.
The proceedings place the focus on how traffic-death investigations are conducted, reviewed and corrected when families challenge the initial findings. In this case, the court’s directions have led to a change in the investigating officer, a fresh examination of available evidence and a revised timeline for submitting the additional final report.
The next hearing will determine whether the renewed investigation has been completed and whether the authorities are able to submit the additional final report within the extended period granted by the court.
