CBI team inquires family members of Jayaraj, Bennix

Madurai

The eight-member CBI team reached Thoothukudi on Friday and began its probe into the alleged custodial deaths of father and son recently.

The team got access to the house of the victims at Sathankulam, Thoothukudi district at around 11.30 am, and quizzed the family members of the victims and their relatives for hours.

Subsequently, the team also talked to the chief doctor of Sathankulam Government Hospital, where a fitness certificate was issued by a doctor before the police took the two victims to Kovilpatti sub jail, as part of its probe.

Prior to the investigation, the CBI submitted material evidence including three lungis, and lathi, which had been gathered during an earlier probe, before the Madurai Chief Judicial Magistrate court, sources said.

Moreover, Kovilpatti Judicial Magistrate MS Bharathidasan continued to probe prison authorities in Kovilpatti sub jail on Saturday, sources said.

Jayaraj and Bennix were remanded in Kovilpatti sub jail on June 20 after the police enquiry in Sathankulam station on June 19, but died a couple of days later in Kovilpatti Government Headquarters Hospital. Kovilpatti East police then filed a under Section 176 (1) (1-A) of Cr.P.C.

Earlier, the CB-CID arrested ten cops including suspended inspector Srithar in connection with the custodial deaths of father-son duo.