CB-CID arrests one more policeman in Tuticorin custodial death case

The Crime Branch of Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) made another arrest in the Tuticorin custodial death case on Thursday.

Inspector Sridhar was arrested by the agency investigating that case of alleged custodial deaths of a father-son duo at a Tamil Nadu police station on Thursday.

The Inspector has been charged under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. A total of five policemen have been arrested so far in connection to the incident.

Previously, the CB-CID arrested 3 more policemen, Sub Inspector Balakrishnan and constables Muthuraj and Murugan.

Sub Inspector Ragu Ganesh, who was under suspension, was arrested on Wednesday.

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday issued an order to transfer the case registered in Kovilpatti East Police Station to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation
The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday heard the case and directed Thoothukudi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anil Kumar and the CB-CID to take up the investigation.

Jayaraj (59) and his son J Benicks (31), were arrested on June 19 and lodged in Kovilpatti sub-jail for keeping their mobile phone shop in the Sathankulam main bazaar area open during a curfew imposed during coronavirus lockdown.d

Jayaraju and Benicks were admitted to the Kovilpatti government hospital on June 22. While the son died on the same night, the father breathed his last on June 23 morning.

According to reports, two senior Inspectors have been suspended while departmental action is also being taken against two chief guards of the jail.

(With ANI inputs)