Sathankulam deaths: 3 of 5 cops held on Wednesday sent to Madurai jail

Madurai

The CB CID has so far arrested 10 police personnel in connection with the custodial deaths of Jeyaraj and Bennix. However, Paldurai, a sub-inspector of police, and Thomas, a constable, who were among five accused arrested on Wednesday, have been undergoing treatment for cardiac ailments in Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital.

Three other accused, including Vail Muthu (constable), Samadurai (head constable) and Chelladurai (constable) after being medically examined, were produced before Thoothukudi Chief Judicial Magistrate S. Hema and lodged in Perurani jail in the district.

In other developments in the case, CB CID Inspector General K. Shankar said investigators have been recording statements of witnesses and examining material evidence.

Meanwhile, bail pleas have been filed on behalf of the jailed Inspector Srithar and Sub Inspector Balakrishnan.

However, N Logeswaran, Principal District Judge, Thoothukudi, adjourned the hearing to July 13, sources said. Meanwhile, Kovilpatti Judicial Magistrate M S Bharathidasan on Thursday visited the Kovilpatti sub jail where P. Jeyaraj (58) and his son Bennix (31), were remanded till June 20, before both succumbed to injuries, which they allegedly sustained in custodial torture by the Sathankulam police, at the Kovilpatti government hospital.

The CBI team is about to reach Thoothukudi in a day or two to launch its probe in the custodial death case that drew criticisms for the Sathankulam police from all over the world.