Centre has notified CBI taking over Sathankulam case: Tamil Nadu govt

The Central government has issued a notification on CBI taking over the investigation into the deaths of father-son duo Jeyaraj and Beniks of Sathankulam. Bennicks and Jeyaraj died on June 22 and 23 respectively after alleged torture by Sathankulam police in Tuticorin district following their arrest on June 19.

Chennai:The Centre has issued a notification on CBI taking over investigation into the deaths of a father and son duo belonging to Tuticorin district, the Tamil Nadu
the government said on Tuesday.

Following Chief Minister K Palaniswami's letter to Home Minister Amit Shah requesting a probe by the Central agency into the deaths of Jeyaraj and Bennicks, "the Central government has now issued a notification (on CBI taking over the investigation into the case)," an official release here said.

After announcing a CBI probe recently, Palaniswami had written to the Home Minister.

The CB-CID is presently handling the case as per the direction of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Five police personnel including an inspector have been
arrested so far.

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

The incident had triggered a nationwide furore, leading to the suspension of five policemen, including an inspector and two sub-Inspectors.

All the personnel posted at Sathankulam police station earlier have been transferred out.

PTI