He said regular police visits have now stopped, leaving him without the security granted following threats to his life. Madurai: Madurai district police have progressively withdrawn protection over the past four months for activist M Gnanasekaran, who exposed illegal mining violations by stone quarries on the city’s outskirts.
The protection was granted by Madurai district standing committee under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, headed by principal district judge S Sivakadatcham, on May 16, 2025, based on a threat analysis report. CCTV cameras were installed, while police patrols and physical checks gradually became irregular, with gaps stretching 10 to 12 days before stopping altogether.
Gnanasekaran said security doors, alarms, fencing, court escorts and transport were never provided. The order directed police to provide close protection and regular patrols around his house, besides installing security doors, CCTV cameras, alarms and fencing. Police were also directed to provide court escorts and govt or state-funded transport on hearing dates. Madurai superintendent of police N Devanathan did not respond to calls and messages. Local police personnel attributed the reduced security and irregular patrols to inadequate staff strength at the station.