In a shocking turn of events, a man and his son died while in police custody in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. According to The New Indian Express, Jeyaraj (63), was arrested by the police and taken to the Sathankulam station for allegedly keeping his timber shop open past 9 pm. When his son Felix (31), who also owns a mobile shop, went to enquire about his father’s arrest, the cops also booked him.
Times Of India reports that their family alleged that both Jeyaraj and Felix were assaulted and remanded by the Sathankulam police before being shifted to Kovilpatti sub-jail. The father and son were shifted to Kovilpatti sub-jail for Covid-19 screening before being taken to Kovilpatti East police station. Sources confirmed that both of them had injuries on their bodies when they were shifted there. Two days later, Fenix was shifted to Kovilpatti general hospital after he complained of chest pain. However, he died soon after being brought to the hospital.
His father, Jeyaraj was also admitted to the hospital on the same day when he developed a fever. But sadly, he also died the next morning. Their family and agitated traders in the area accused the cops of custodial brutality against the father-son duo, for denying medical aid and for concealing the facts that they were assaulted in the jail. Following the uproar post their death, shopkeepers shut shops protesting against police brutality in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi).
Many people also took to social media demanding actions against the accused. Soon #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix started trending online.
The work by DMK MP Kanimozhi in the double murder by police at Nellai is commendable. She took action which would yield some results – complaints to DGP & NHRC, apart from field visits. #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix https://t.co/sD8kyHwbV3
— Savukku_Shankar (@savukku) June 26, 2020
There is no justice for poor people,the police person should get punishment by hanged in jail and give 20 lakhs to police . How long we can see the news like this. show humanity to common people also.
#சாத்தான்குளம்_படுகொலை #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix #Thoothukudi pic.twitter.com/YDaZ08cqkI
— Sathish Kumar (@iamsatzzz) June 25, 2020
HORRIFIED to hear of the brutality inflicted upon Jeyaraj & Fenix in #Sathankulam
May they R.I.P.
This is NOT the work of Good and Honest police men who uphold Justice, Law & Order.
This is the work of a few sadistic and barbaric criminals in uniform!#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix— Gautham Karthik (@Gautham_Karthik) June 25, 2020
The Police officers involved need to be charged with murder !!!
This was murder !! #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix— Raiza Wilson (@raizawilson) June 26, 2020
Justice needs to be served! This is brutal !!#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix pic.twitter.com/fDohVWIDnQ
— Mahima Nambiar (@Mahima_Nambiar) June 26, 2020
TW: gruesome violence
please talk about this and raise awareness as much as you did for blm. stand up for the people from your own country too. hearing this is completely devastating and it breaks my heart tbh.#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix
— dishwasher (@okthenksbye) June 26, 2020
When George Floyd was attacked by a white man, the entire black race gathered & fought for justice. Here two of our own people were attacked & killed by shoving iron rods & lathis into their private parts by two of OUR OWN! Don’t be silent now! PLEASE! #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix
— Ajesh (@ajesh_ashok) June 26, 2020
.@satishacharya cartoon on #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix pic.twitter.com/SZO9UoD0LF
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) June 26, 2020
Why haven't the erring policemen been arrested as yet? Tamil Nadu Police is one of the finest in the country but the rotten apples in its midst need to be removed. #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) June 26, 2020
We empathized for George Floyd. Now, why not for Our fellow Indians? PLEASE🙏 Do not sideline this issue. Kindly read more about it on the internet. Police👎 #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix #Thoothukudi #TamilNadu @ndtv @ZeeNewsEnglish @BDUTT @fayedsouza pic.twitter.com/6calV53phc
— Ahmed Meeran (@ahmedmeeranoffl) June 26, 2020
Didn’t expect this from our Police force. This is sexual assault & Murder! I hope the #HighCourt intervenes & charges these men to the fullest extent of the law.
A horrific act has been committed & that too by the men who are supposed to protect us.#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix pic.twitter.com/VyaZ3JBiud— Amyra Dastur (@AmyraDastur93) June 26, 2020
Let's raise voice in our country too. Police is the force to safeguard the citizens, to follow the rules and order. These particular officers when showcase their power as autonomy, they need to understand, they are here for us.#JusticeforJayarajAndFenix pic.twitter.com/ypWj3xDVuv
— Palak Arora (@_PalakArora) June 26, 2020
#Thoothukudi#justice#JusticeforJayarajAndFenix
Police brutality needs to stopped pic.twitter.com/vbuqzhXcaT— fangirl_sonali07 (@sonalirout131) June 24, 2020
Unable to digest this at all!So inhuman and cruel! #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix pic.twitter.com/xQoWluWh0o
— Bhavani sre (@BhavaniSre) June 26, 2020
Till now, four policemen, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended and 12 police staff have been transferred. We hope strict actions are taken against the perpetrators and justice is served to the family.