Rahul Gandhi expresses grief and regret over death of father-son duo

Days after the custodial death of father-son duo sparked controversy in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has expressed grief over their deaths. Congress leader has requested the members of Shakti Platform to light a candle as a mark of remembrance for Jayaraj and Fennix and pay respect for them.

Chennai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed grief and regret over the death of a father-son duo in Tuticorin, allegedly after being thrashed by the police and demanded justice for the two. He said he could not visit Sathankulam, where the incident happened last week, to personally comfort the family, due to the COVID-19 situation.

In an SMS sent to the party's Shakti platform members in Tuticorin district, he said "Let us agitate till those responsible for this (deaths) are punished."

"I was aggrieved over and regret the police action that was responsible for the death of Jayaraj and Fennix," he said, according to a release issued by the Tamil Nadu Congress unit. He urged the members to light a candle at 7 pm today as a mark of remembrance for the 'deceased brothers' and pay
tributes to them.

READ: Tamil Nadu govt for CBI probe into death of father, son after alleged police torture

"I could not come in person to comfort (the family of the deceased) due to the COVID-19 situation," he added.

P Jayaraj and his son Fennix, arrested for 'violating' lockdown norms over business hours of their cell phone shop,died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with their relatives alleging they were severely thrashed at the Sathankulam police station by police personnel earlier.

The incident has triggered a national furore, leading to the suspension of four policemen,including two Sub-Inspectors. Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Sunday said the government has decided to transfer the probe into the deaths to the CBI. (PTI)