DMK MP writes to NHRC over 'custodial death' of father, son in Thoothukudi

A day after the custodial deaths of a father and son in Thoothukudi district came to light, DMK member parliament Kanimozhi has written a letter to National Human Rights Commission New Delhi and has requested to investigate against the officials responsible for their deaths.

Thoothukudi:DMK member parliament Kanimozhi has written a letter to National Human Rights Commission New Delhi and has requested to investigate against the officials responsible for the death of two people in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

The deceased are identified as Jayaraj and his son Bennicks. Kanimozhi in a letter said that the National Human Rights Commission has the power under the Protection of Human Rights Act to take notice of such incidents.

"It is alleged that while police were assaulting them in the guise of investigation, the police officials had inserted a baton into the anus of Mr Bennicks that triggered uncontrolled bleeding and further the police officials had beaten Mr Jayaraj and kicked him on his chest multiple times with their shoes", wrote MP in the letter.

Kanimozhi wrote about a series of events in her letter saying that father-son had been running a wood workshop and mobile shop in the area and were respected members of society. On June 19, Jairaj was picked up by Santhakulam police officials for allegedly violating lockdown restrictions.

When his son went to the police station, he was also taken into custody and an FIR was registered under various sections.

Police official had beaten them in custody and on June 20 police officials had taken them to the hospital to obtain fitness certificate but the doctor refused to give fitness certificate because their blood pressure was high.

It is alleged that father-son was taken into custody on the same day and died under mysterious conditions within a gap of 10 hours.

"I also bring to your notice that in the last 2 years there have been more than 15 incidents of custodial deaths but not a single chargesheet has been filed against officials who are responsible. Therefore the National Human Rights Commission may also take this into consideration and issue necessary directions in this regard so that no furthur lives are lost under police custody and stringent action is taken against all such officials who have abetted in gross human rights violations ", wrote Kanimozhi.