Investigation of twin custodial death case transferred to CBI, by Tamil Nadu

Investigation of twin custodial death case transferred to CBI, by Tamil Nadu

– AAKANKSHA BHATIA

The Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to transfer the investigation of the Sathankulam twin custodial death case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. This move was taken after the Director-General of Police requested the Government to transfer the case to the central bureau of investigation, in order to facilitate a free and fair investigation.

In a notification issued, Additional Chief Secretary to the Tamil Nadu Government, SK Prabakar stated,

“The government, after careful consideration, have decided to accept the request of the Director-General of Police, Tamil Nadu, and to transfer the case registered in Kovilpatti East Police Station Crime Nos. 649/2020 and 650/2020 under section 176 (1-A) (i) of the code of criminal procedure, 1973, for investigation by the CBI, by issuing a notification under section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.”

Accordingly, a Notification will be published in the Official Gazette of Tamil Nadu.

While hearing the suo moto case registered by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to probe into the incident, the division bench of Justice PN Prakash, as well as Justice B. Pugalendhi, had also observed: “to transfer or not to transfer the case to C.B.I is the policy decision of the State Government.”

Shri Jeyaraj and his son, Shri. Bennick’s were arrested by the Sathankulam police on June 19, allegedly for violating lockdown restrictions as well as further for misbehaving with on-duty police personnel. The two were remanded to Judicial Custody at Sub Jail, Kovilpatti, on June 20, 2020, and died on the following days, allegedly due to police excesses and lack of medical care.

The administration has already put two of their policemen under suspension, and action has been taken against two Head Constables, who were allegedly associated with custodial deaths.