Shifting case to CBI a delaying tactic, charges MNM, CPI

CHENNAI: The Makkal Needhi Maiam and CPI on Monday slammed state government for transferring the probe into custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son Bennix in Sathankulam in Thoothukudi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In a social media post, MNM founder president Kamal Haasan said that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was shirking his responsibility by transferring the case to the CBI. “The accused should be charged under IPC Section 302. They should be handed over to the investigation department,” he said, adding that the state government must provide justice in this incident.

“They shouldn’t think that people will forget this incident if they transfer the case to the CBI whose investigation into the Thoothukudi police firing and Gutka scam is still pending,” he said. He noted that justice delayed is justice denied.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan said that the urgency in which the Chief Minister transferred the investigation into the custodial deaths to the CBI raise doubt that it was intended to delay the investigation and help the accused to escape. “All those involved in the custodial death case, including the suspended police officials should be arrested. We condemn the state government’s attempt to save the doctor who inspected the duo, magistrate who ordered remanding of bleeding father-son and Kovilpatti jail officials who lodged them in prison. The murder case should be registered against all those involved in the murder of Jayaraj and Bennix and they should be jailed,” he said. He said that there was no need to transfer the case to CBI when the Madras High Court is monitoring the investigation.