Tamil Nadu custodial deaths: DMK plans to demand CBI probe

The death of father-son duo had triggered widespread protests in TN

blood-murder-crime-rep Representative image | Shutterstock

Even as there is widespread outrage in Tamil Nadu over the deaths of a father-son duo following alleged police torture in Tuticorin district a few days ago, DMK chief M.K. Stalin, on Saturday, said the party will demand a CBI probe into the incident if the government does not "properly investigate the murders of Jayaraj and Fenix."

Jayaraj and his son, arrested for 'violating' lockdown norms by allegedly extending business hours of their cellphone shop, died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with the relatives alleging that they were severely thrashed at the Sathankulam police station by police personnel earlier.

The incident had triggered a furore in the state, leading to the suspension of four policemen, including two sub-inspectors. However, the family of the deceased had on Wednesday demanded filing murder case against the sub-inspectors.

The hashtags #JusticeForJayarajAndBennix and #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix have been trending on all social media platforms for the last couple of days.

On Friday, Stalin had said all those responsible for the alleged 'barbarity' should get tough punishment and his party would support all legal action for it. He had also announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh from the party. The alleged brutal assault on the two men by police was "a result of the AIADMK government allowing them to take law into their own hands at a time when they have to ensure the safety of the public during the lockdown," Stalin said in a statement.

Earlier, top AIADMK leaders, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, had asserted that their party would never allow such incidents and vowed to ensure justice. The deaths of Jayaraj and Fenix was "very unfortunate, anguishing and the AIADMK would never allow such agonising incidents," they had said in a statement. Describing their party as a fortress for the people, they said Rs 25 lakh will be provided to the family for assistance and assured that the AIADMK will "uphold justice" in the matter of the deaths of the two men.

Condemning the incident, Rahul Gandhi had said in a tweet, "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 justice for Jeyaraj and Fenix."

Several prominent personalities took to the social media, lending support to the family of the deceased.

"Enough is enough! We cannot wait for justice to be delivered at leisure. Such brutality will not be tolerated. the court must take a very stern action to punish the guilty cops. Let this be the last incident of inhumanity TN witnesses. Fight for justice #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix," actor Khushbu Sundar tweeted on Saturday.

Film-maker Karthik Subburaj tweeted, "What happened in Sathankulam is horrible ! Insult to Humanism.. The accused officials needs to be Punished and Justice has to be given to those poor souls Some humans are more dangerous than viruses. #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix."

Taking to Instagram, actor Samantha Akkineni shared the images of Jayaraj and Bennicks, and wrote, "Police brutality needs to stop..this is inhumane and will only result in more loss of faith in the system that is meant to protect (sic)."

(With inputs from PTI)

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