Sathankulam custodial deaths: HC junks bail plea of 3 cops

The petitioners stated that the CB-CID initiated the probe into the custodial deaths after the court took suo moto cognizance of the case. Currently, the case is being investigated by the CBI.

Further, officials from the Forensic Department had already gathered evidence on the case and citing these the petitioners sought bail. Moreover, the petitioners ensured before the Judge that they would not abscond and obey bail conditions.

The three cops are among ten police personnel arrested and jailed in connection with the custodial deaths. According to the CBI probe, Murugan has been figured as the fifth accused in the case. It was Murugan, the head constable, who lodged a complaint with Sathankulam police at 9.15 pm, on June 19 and a case was then filed under Sections 188, 269, 294 (b), 353 and 502 of IPC, against Jeyaraj and Bennix.

In the late evening hours of June 19, P Jeyaraj (58) and his son J Bennix (31) were detained by the Sathankulam police on a charge of violating COVID lockdown restrictions by keeping mobile phone shop open beyond the stipulated time. Based on a complaint lodged by Murugan, the petitioner, the Sathankulam police registered an FIR following the duo’s detention.