Sathankulam Custodial Death Case: CB-CID Arrests 5 More Policemen

By: Nandika Chand | Last Updated July 9, 2020

The CB-CID have arrested 5 more policemen, taking the total to 10, in the Sathankulam custodial death case. Sources said the five police personnel were holding the accused while the sub-inspector beat them.

The owners, father-son duo Jayaraj and Bennix, of a mobile shop in Sathankulam were picked up by police for allegedly keeping the shop open for a few minutes beyond the prescribed time during the lockdown. Policemen assaulted them in the police station. Bennix complained of chest pain and died at Kovilpatti Government Hospital on June 22, while the father, Jayaraj passed away to injuries on June 23 while in the custody of the Sathankulam police. This ignited widespread protests in Tamil Nadu.

The CBI took over the case on Wednesday and a special team is probing several Tamil Nadu Police personnel. R K Gaur, CBI spokesperson said the bureau has registered two cases on the allegations of custodial death of two men in Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district upon the request of the Tamil Nadu state government.

The Madras High Court had ordered a CBI probe based on the report submitted by the magistrate.