Tuticorin custodial deaths: CBI takes over probe, registers 2 FIRs

The CBI has taken over the cases related to the deaths of a father-son duo due to police torture in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi and despatched a special team to the state to probe the police personnel under the scanner.

The agency has registered two separate cases in connection with the deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son Bennicks following a recommendation from the Tamil Nadu government.

"CBI has registered two cases on the allegations of custodial death of two traders in Kovilpatti district on the request of Tamil Nadu government and further notification from the government of India," an agency statement said.

The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police has been investigating the case so far but Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced that the state government was transferring the case. Local police had earlier registered two cases at Kovilpatti East police station earlier.

Jayaraj and Bennicks, who ran a mobile shop, were arrested on June 19 on charges of violating lockdown norms over business hours of their cellphone shop. The son died on June 20 and Jeyaraj two days later.

Five police personnel, including an Inspector, were arrested following the intervention of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

According to the CBI FIR, Jeyaraj had complained of fever while in sub-jail on June 20 and was sent to the government hospital in Kovilpatti in an auto along with the escort.

The doctor on June 23 informed jail officials that the "medical treatment failed and the prisoner died".

In its FIR, the CBI said Bennicks was also taken to hospital on June 20 after he complained about fever. He was reported dead by doctors 90 minutes after his reaching the hospital during treatment.

Both the father and son were taken to the sub-jail on June 20 afternoon.

The deaths of the father-son duo and the disclosure of torture they underwent in custody in police station had triggered a controversy.