The Government of Tamil Nadu has transferred the Sathankulam custodial death case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation.
In a notification dated June 29, SK Prabakar, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, stated that “the Government, after careful consideration, have decided to accept the request of the Director-General of Police, Tamil Nadu, and to transfer the case registered in Kovilpatti East Police Station Crime Nos.649/2020 and 650/2020 under Section 176 (1-A) (i)of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, by issuing a notification under section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.”
The decision of the Government was taken after the Director General of Police requested the Government to transfer the case to CBI in order to facilitate free and fair investigation.
Moreover the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court while taking up the suo motu case had said “it is the policy decision of the state government to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.”
Jeyaraj and his son Beniks, were arrested on June 19 for keeping their mobile phone shop open 15 minutes beyond permitted hours. The police claimed the two had fought and misbehaved with police while resisting arrest.
The father-son duo were allegedly subjected to brutal torture in police custody. Their family alleges they had severe internal and external wounds, including rectal bleeding.
-India Legal Bureau