CBI will investigate custodial deaths of man and son in TN

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to transfer the probe into the death of a father-son duo, victims of alleged police torture in Thoothukudi district, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), chief minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday.

The inspector of Sathankulam police station where the duo was allegedly thrashed and tortured has been suspended and replaced, police said in Thoothukudi.

The state’s main opposition party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) said the chief minister has ordered a CBI probe due to “intense pressure” from people and political parties, besides the media.

The government’s decision will be informed to the Madras high court, which is seized of the matter, and secure its approval before transferring the case.

P Jayaraj and his son Bennicks, arrested for allegedly violating lockdown norms, died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with their relatives alleging they were severely thrashed and tortured at the Sathankulam police station. The incident triggered national furore, leading to the suspension of five policemen, including an inspector and two sub-inspectors.

SALEM/TUTICORIN:The Tamil Nadu government has decided to transfer the probe into the death of a father-son duo, victims of alleged police torture in Tuticorin district, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday. The inspector of Sathankulam police station, where the duo was allegedly thrashed and tortured, has been suspended and replaced, the police.

The state’s main opposition party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, said the Chief Minister has ordered the CBI probe due to “intense pressure” from people and political parties, besides the media.

The government’s decision will be informed to the Madras High Court, which is seized of the matter, and its approval will be secured before transferring the case to the central agency, Palaniswami told reporters in Salem. “The government has decided that CBI will probe the case,” Palaniswami said. He recalled the court had by itself taken cognizance of the matter.

However, the family of the victims said they will wait for the next hearing in the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, when reporters sought their response to the chief minister’s announcement on handing over the probe to CBI.

DMK president MK Stalin said if the government has the determination to provide justice in this matter, those allegedly involved in the incident would not be “roaming free” even now. “The chief minister has transferred the probe to CBI due to intense pressure from the people, political parties and the media,” he said in a tweet.

P Jayaraj and his son Bennicks , arrested for violating lockdown norms by keeping their mobile phone shop open beyond hours, died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with their relatives alleging they were severely thrashed and tortured at Sathankulam police station by police personnel .

The incident has triggered a national furore, leading to the suspension of five policemen, including an inspector and two sub-inspectors. Reports have emerged that at least one of the policemen has a history of aggressive behaviour and violence. There are also unsubstantiated reports that Bennicks may have previously refused to sell a mobile phone on EMI to one of the policemen.

On Sunday, Palaniswami further said guidelines have already been issued to police on how to deal with the public and traders, indicating that the men in khaki must have a humane. “They have been advised that public cannot be disturbed. If there is any issue, a case has to be filed and due action taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chennai Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan said guidelines laid down for police on handling arrests or accused persons include not even using hurtful language against them, and that beating them up is “unlawful”. He told reporters that there are a number of guidelines, besides Supreme Court directions, vis-a-vis arrests.

“Assault and torture (of the arrested) should not be done. As far as the Greater Chennai Police or the state police is concerned, we have reiterated that even language that could hurt someone should not be used,” he said.

THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION WILL BE INFORMED TO THE MADRAS HIGH COURT FOR ITS APPROVAL BEFORE TRANSFERRING THE CASE TO THE CENTRAL AGENCY, THE CHIEF MINISTER SAID