Tuticorin custodial death case to be transferred to CBI: Palaniswami

(The Federal’s Prabhakar Tamilarasu filed a detailed witness account of the police brutality on the father-son duo, P. Jayaraj and Emmanuel Bennicks, who later died)

The investigation into the deaths of a father-son duo, alleged victims of police torture in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district, will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after obtaining permission from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday (June 28).

“The government has decided that the CBI will probe the case,” Palaniswami said, adding that the government’s decision will be informed to the high court.

Related news: TN custodial deaths: Judicial magistrate should be dismissed, says ex-HC judge

P. Jayaraj and his son Bennicks, who were arrested for alleged violation of lockdown norms over business hours of their cellphone shop, died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with their relatives alleging they were severely thrashed at the Sathankulam police station by police personnel earlier.

The incident has triggered a national furore, leading to the suspension of four policemen, including two sub-inspectors. Hashtags #JusticeForJayarajAndBennix and #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix have also been trending on social media platforms since Thursday (June 25) night.

Meanwhile, Chennai Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan said the conduct of the police in this case was “unlawful”. “According to guidelines laid down for police on handling arrests or accused, police are not even allowed to use hurtful language against them, while beating them up is totally unlawful,” he said in response to queries on the standard procedure.

(With inputs from agencies)