Tuticorin Custodial Death: "Victims Tortured, Private parts damaged and Killed by Police!" - Video of Family meeting press

In a horrifying case of police brutality, a father and duo son from Tuticorin district allegedly died due to abuse in police custody. Latest media reports suggest that they were sexually assaulted in police custody. The victim’s family too told the media that the private parts of the victims have been harmed. 

59-year-old P Jayaraj and 31-year- old son J Bennicks were picked up by the Santhankulam Police for questioning them citing that they kept their mobile accessories shop open during the lockdown on June 19. 

Bennicks fell ill and died at the Kovilpatti General Hospital on June 22 and his father died on June 23. 

The Federal, a Chennai- based news site has quoted eyewitnesses who said that Jayaraj and his son Fennix were sodomised while they were in custody. The report also mentions that both of them were bleeding very badly. 

சாத்தான்குளம் கொடூரம்....

"என் சகோதரரின் பின்பகுதி முழுமையாக சிதைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது...!"

எங்களுக்கு நியாயம் வேண்டும்.... உயிரிழந்த வியாபாரிகளின் குடும்பத்தார் கண்ணீர் பேட்டி #சாத்தான்குளம் | #Thoothukudi | #கோவில்பட்டி | #CustodialDeath pic.twitter.com/p90xaNvbyv

— News7 Tamil (@news7tamil) June 25, 2020

“Between 7 am and 12 pm on June 20, the father and son had changed at least seven lungies (waistcloth) each as they had become wet due to blood oozing from their rectums,” The Federal quoted a friend of Bennick's as saying.

Both of them also complained of severe rectum pain as they kept bleeding from their rectum.  The friend also added that both of them came out of the prison with their clothes torn and covered in blood. They were taken to a hospital immediately but the doctor allegedly declared them fit on the insistence of the local cop. 

Reportedly, they couldn’t tell the truth in the judicial magistrate due to the threats they received from police. 

"Throughout the night, the duo cried for help and people residing about 500 meters away from the station could hear that,” the eyewitness’ statement was reported. 

The incident has erupted a huge outrage in Tuticorin. Shops in the district were closed on Wednesday in order to protest the alleged custodial death. The Madras High court recently said that a report will be prepared shortly. The police are to submit a report to the Madurai bench of the High Court on July 26.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami told the media on Wednesday that legal action will be taken as per the orders of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. He announced Rs 10 lakh solatium each to their families and offered government jobs to one of the family members. Two Policemen who were allegedly responsible for the death have been suspended and the inspector has been kept under compulsory waiting. 

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased have demanded a murder case to be filed and inspected. They alleged that the two sub- inspectors were responsible for the death of their father and brother. 

The relatives stated that they will not accept the bodies until a case is filed. Various political leaders from opposition parties including DMK have demanded action to be taken against those responsible for the death of the father and son.