Tamil Nadu: Tuticorin Custodial Deaths Spark Widespread Outrage

Chennai: The custodial deaths of a father-son duo on June 19, in Tuticorin of Tamil Nadu have sparked widespread outrage in the state and elsewhere in the country. Taking note of the case, the Madras High Court is reported to have sought details with regard to the custodial deaths of and his son. The High Court is also said to have directed the Kovilpatti Judicial Magistrate to seize the case diary and CCTV footage. The High Court further directed the Kovilpatti Judicial Magistrate to work from the Santhankulam Camp Office on a temporary basis, since the native place of the victims, Santhankulam is about a 100 km away from Kovilpatti.

Meanwhile, the issue snowballed into a major political controversy with the DMK alleging that policemen were responsible for the deaths of the father and son duo. The DMK supremo, MK Stalin said that policemen tortured the men by standing on their chests and assaulting them.

The DMK announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 25 lakhs for the families of the deceased. DMK Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi visited the house of the deceased, handed over the cheque and offered her condolences on behalf of the opposition party.

Kanimozhi wrote to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urging the body to probe the issue and take necessary action against the officials responsible for the "custodial" death of Jayaraj (59) and his son Bennix (31). The father-son duo were arrested on 19 June for violating lockdown norms.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also criticised the Tamil Nadu police for their high-handed methods leading to the deaths of the father and son duo in Tuticorin. Citing a media report, Rahul Gandhi slammed police brutality describing it as a terrible crime. He further said in his Twitter post that it is a tragedy when protectors become oppressors and sought justice for the victims of the custodial deaths.