THOOTHUKUDI: A 63-year-old father and his 31-year-old son from Sathankulam allegedly died in police custody. They were taken into the police custody for a crime of opening their shops beyond the time during #Lockdown.
Kin and traders has alleged torture in police custody. The death of both caused tension in the area and traders closed their shops to protest against the vandalism of the police.
It is reported that, the duo were admitted in Kovilpatti government hospital. Monday evening son J Fenix (31) was taken to hospital reported bleeding and then declared dead at 8 pm on Monday. Then his father P Jeyaraj (63) respiratory trouble, died next day on Tuesday. The father P Jeyaraj was a timber trader while his son J Febix was running mobile shop.
On 19 June, police detained Jeyaraj for opening the shop after 9 pm, then his son Fenix went to police station to release his father from police custody. Then police registered FIR on duo, under IPC sections 188, 269, 294(b), 353 and 506(2). The due were then shifted to Palayamkottai central prison considering the isolation protocols.
NEWS INDIA EXPRESS published the news from sources which states that, Fenix was attacked by police officers who was protesting against the police action on his father who has also beaten Jeyaraj.
On social media the death of duo is trending demanding strict action against all the police officers presented in the police station. They are also demanding to stop “colonial rule”.
During lockdown various video floated on social media of human rights violation by police who thrashing people, while there were many police officers seen helping people.
Recently the United States faced a similar issue when a man was killed by police, where he witnessed a nationwide protest in the US. On the other side men’s rights activist said that, “this is time for police reform”.