Tuticorin: Furore Over Alleged Custodial Death Of Father And Son, Four Cops Suspended

In Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, there is a wave of growing public anger after the death of a father and his son in police custody. Former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi, while appealing to the AIADMK-led government of Tamil Nadu, tweeted that - “Police brutality is a terrible crime. It’s a tragedy when our protectors turn into oppressors. I offer my condolences to the family of the victims and appeal to the government to ensure......”

Police brutality is a terrible crime. It’s a tragedy when our protectors turn into oppressors. I offer my condolences to the family of the victims and appeal to the government to ensure #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix https://t.co/sVlqR92L3p

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 26, 2020

DMK President MK Stalin also attacked the Tamil Nadu government over the matter, saying that the alleged torture of two people by the police is a result of the state government letting the police take the law into their own hands.

#JusticeForJayarajAndFenix https://t.co/9Gpib4q03G

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 26, 2020

Also, Stalin has announced a grant of Rs 25 lakh to the family of the deceased. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission in this regard.

The matter has now reached the Madras High Court, the court has also directed the police to file a report till July 26 on the custodial death of father-son duo. The incident took place on June 19 when 59-year-old P Jayaraj and his 31-year-old son Jay Bennicks ​​were taken into custody for questioning by the police for keeping their mobile shop open during the lockdown in violation of the lockdown rules.

The family alleges that the two were detained for questioning and were assaulted by policemen after which son Jay Fenix ​​became ill and died on 22 June at Kovilpatti General Hospital, while the next morning on 23 June his father P Jayaraj also died.

All shops in Tuticorin were closed in protest against the gruesome incident. Four policemen have been suspended in the case so far. Chief Minister EK Palaniswami has expressed grief over the incident but has refrained from saying anything about the allegations of torture. He has said to give 10 lakh more government jobs to the victim's family.