TN custodial deaths: Kin of father-son duo receive bodies after protest

Family members of a father-son duo that died in the judicial custody in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu received the bodies on Thursday (June 25). Earlier, the kin had refused to receive the bodies, demanding a murder case against all police personnel involved in the death of the duo.

Speaking to reporters, Jayaraj’s daughter Persis said she believed in the judicial system and that the family would get justice. Around 4.30 pm, the family members received the bodies from the government hospital in Tirunelveli and took it to Sathankulam village to perform last rites.

According to reports, police had threatened two sons-in-law of Jayaraj to accept the bodies. In this regard, Persis lodged a complaint with Tiruchendur RDO Dhanaselvi stating that only the family members would receive the bodies. Doctors performed the autopsy on the bodies between 8 pm and 11.30 pm on June 24.

Related News: COVID-19: TN reports highest single-day spike; tally crosses 70k-mark

Based on the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court’s order, Kovilpatti Judicial Magistrate Barathidasan had held an inquiry with Bennicks’s sisters Persis, Beulah and Anisha and his mother Selvarani.

Earlier, the Madurai Bench asked Turicorin SP Balagopal to file a status report in connection with the judicial custody. Sub-inspector Balakrishnan and Raghu Ganesh, and constables Murugan and Muthuraj of Sathankulam station have been placed under suspension. Inspector Srithar’s name has also been added to a compulsory waiting list.