JUDICIAL ENQUIRY ORDERED BY MADRAS HIGH COURT ON CUSTODIAL DEATHS OF JEYARAJ & BENNIX

JUDICIAL ENQUIRY ORDERED BY MADRAS HIGH COURT ON CUSTODIAL DEATHS OF JEYARAJ & BENNIX

– Shatakshi Pathak

To conduct an inquiry into the alleged custodial deaths of a father-son duo who were lodged in Sub Jail, Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi District in Tamil Nadu direction has given to jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate by the Madras High Court.  The bench consist of Justices P.N. Prakash and B. Pugalendhi has given the direction to the Magistrate to visit the local police station for gathering the idea and evidence as well as asked them to the photocopy of the case diary. Due to the police excesses, the High Court has taken the suo moto cognizance of the twin deaths. In the Sathankulam Police Station on June 19, an FIR  was lodged against the deceased allegedly for violating lockdown restrictions and further for misbehaving with on-duty police personnel. The two were remanded to Judicial custardy at Sub Jail, Kovilpatti, on June 20, 2020, and died on the following days. To submit the report on its probe into the incident ordered by the division bench to the Tamil Nadu Police. The court has informed the two Sub- Inspectors that the police station has been placed under suspension, as well as the who were allegedly associated with the custodial deaths and action, had been taken against two Head Constables. Another report about an inmate of the Sub Jail has been taken by the Bench who has suffered serious injuries in under treatment. The order has been given by the judicial inquiry for this regard. Because of the custodial deaths here above the new guidelines has been issued for arrest /remand of accused persons on June 24 by the Director-General of Tamil Nadu Police.