Custodial death of father-son duo in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin sparks outrage, Kanimozhi writes to NHRC

The death of a father-son duo in police custody, allegedly due to torture, in Tuticorin has caused a furore in Tamil Nadu with DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi writing to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

According to reports, Jayaraj (59) and his son Fennix (31) were arrested on June 19 for allegedly violating the lockdown restriction. The family of the victims said that the two were picked up for questioning for keeping their mobile accessories shop open during the lockdown and were thrashed by the police personnel while in custody at Sathankulam police station.

While Fennix fell ill and died at the Kovilpatti General Hospital on Monday, his father died on Tuesday morning.

The family has demanded that a murder case be registered against two sub-inspectors, since transferred, alleging they were responsible for the death of the father-son duo.

Tuticorin Collector Sandeep Nanduri said the duo had been earlier arrested and lodged in the Kovilpatti sub-jail. "There were complaints that they were killed in police assault..a judicial probe has been ordered," he said.

Amid outrage over the matter, shops in the district remained closed on Wednesday to protest the alleged custodial death of the two traders.

The Madras High Court has also taken cognizance of the matter with the Madurai bench seeking a report from the Tuticorin Superintendent of Police.

Opposition parties including the DMK have sought action those responsible for the duo's death. Party leader and Tuticorin Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who dubbed the incident as "violence" committed by the police, met the family on Friday.

In a letter to the NHRC, she has urged the commission to investigate and initiate necessary action against the officials responsible for the "custodial" death of the father-son duo.

She met the kin of deceased and handed over a compensation of Rs 25 lakh, a letter from DMK chief MK Stalin and assured complete support.

"The father and his son were killed by police in lockup at Sathankulam. DMK leader MK Stalin gave Rs 25 lakh to the family and DMK is ready to support the family in the legal aid and we assured the family our full support," she said.

"According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Tamil Nadu stands at the second position in lockup deaths. So far, not even a single charge-sheet has been filed and no one has been punished. This situation must be changed. Particularly, this lockup death is horrific and inhumane. This should not be repeated to anyone our family again. It must be considered as murder and the person who did this must be punished," the DMK leader said.