The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now officially taken over the investigation in the custodial deaths of two traders, Jeyaraj and Bennix while in the custody of the Sathankulam Police, Tamil Nadu.
Vijay Kumar Shukla , Additional Superintendent of Police , has been designated the Investigating Officer in the case, as recorded in the CBI’s First Information Report dated July 7 for Custodial deaths. The same is also stated to have been forwarded to the Chief Judicial Magistrate at Madurai.
Jeyaraj and Bennix were arrested by the Sathankulam Police on June 19 citing a violation of the COVID-19 curfew for keeping their mobile shop open past the curfew time.
Their deaths in police custody days after their arrest prompted public outcry over the alleged custodial torture meted out to them by the Sathankulam Police.
The Tamil Nadu Government’s move to transfer to case to the CBI, the High Court had also intervened to task Anil Kumar, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, CB-CID, Tirunelveli, to take over as the investigating officer until the CBI takes charge.
