Chennai, Aug 2026 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday announced financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of a police constable who died after collapsing while performing duty during the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George in Chennai.
The deceased was identified as A. Dharmaraj, 56, a Grade-I Police Constable attached to the band unit of the Tamil Nadu Special Police Regimental Centre in Avadi.
Dharmaraj had been deployed for ceremonial duty during the state’s Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George. He reportedly collapsed suddenly while participating in the parade, following which police personnel and officials present at the venue immediately rushed to his assistance.
He was taken to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for emergency treatment. Doctors made efforts to stabilise his condition and continued medical care, but he did not respond to treatment and subsequently died.
His sudden death cast a pall of gloom over the Tamil Nadu Police Department, particularly among personnel of the Tamil Nadu Special Police and members of its regimental band.
Expressing grief over the constable’s death, Chief Minister Vijay said Dharmaraj’s passing was an irreparable loss to both his family and the police department. He acknowledged the constable’s commitment to duty and his service during one of the state’s most important official ceremonies.
The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to Dharmaraj’s family, relatives, friends and colleagues in the police force. He said the state government would stand by the bereaved family during the difficult period following his sudden death.
Vijay also directed the authorities concerned to provide Rs 30 lakh in financial assistance to Dharmaraj’s family. The relief is intended to provide immediate support to his dependants following the loss of the family’s earning member.
The constable’s death prompted an outpouring of grief among his colleagues, who remembered him as a member of the police force who was performing his assigned responsibilities during the state’s Independence Day programme.
The Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George involve personnel from various wings of the Tamil Nadu Police. Police band units play an important role in the ceremonial proceedings, including the march-past and other official events.
Dharmaraj’s death during the programme highlighted the commitment of police personnel who perform ceremonial and security duties during major state functions.
The government’s financial assistance is expected to provide some relief to the family as it copes with the sudden loss. The Chief Minister’s decision also underlined the state’s recognition of the service rendered by police personnel while carrying out their official responsibilities.
