Murder charges have been filed against a Tamil Nadu police officer accused in the custodial deaths of two men in the town of Tuticorin – a father and son allegedly tortured by local cops after being arrested for keeping their mobile phone shop open 15 minutes longer than allowed amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Sub Inspector Raghu Ganesh has been arrested by the Crime Branch of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Jeyaraj, 59, and his son Beniks, 31, were arrested on June 19 for keeping their mobile phone shop open 15 minutes beyond permitted hours. The police claimed the two had fought, showered verbal abuses and rolled around on the street while resisting arrest.
The two men were allegedly subjected to brutal torture in police custody. Their family alleges they had severe internal and external wounds, including rectal bleeding.
Beniks was admitted to hospital at 7.45 pm on June 22. He died around 9 pm, according to a timeline released last night by the police. His father was admitted around 10.30 pm the same night.
Jeyaraj died early next day, at 5.40 am.
The deaths generated waves of outrage and calls for murder charges against the police officers involved. Activists, politicians and celebrities have called for justice.
