Justice P N Prakash and Justice B Pugalendhi said that since the family members of the victims would be under great stress, the JM may go to Sathankulam for recording their statements. The JM should visit the house of the victim to conduct inquest as the women folk would be in mourning. REMOVE ADSThe JM should visit the police station, sub-jail and collect necessary documents such as medical records for better appreciation of the facts. Photographs and CCTV footage can also be collected wherever necessary. The judges observed that they were not interfering in the manner in which the inquest is conducted and directed adequate facilities and protection be ensured for the JM.
High Court issues guidelines to magistrate for inquest
Kaushik Kannan | TNN | Jun 27, 2020, 04:09 IST+1AA
Madurai: Madras high court on Friday issued a slew of directions to the Kovilpatti judicial magistrate (JM) with regard to conducting inquest into the custodial death of the father-son duo P Jayaraj and J Beniks in Tuticorin district. A division bench of Justice P N Prakash and Justice B Pugalendhi said that since the family members of the victims would be under great stress, the JM may go to Sathankulam for recording their statements. The JM should visit the house of the victim to conduct inquest as the women folk would be in mourning.
REMOVE ADSThe JM should visit the police station, sub-jail and collect necessary documents such as medical records for better appreciation of the facts. Photographs and CCTV footage can also be collected wherever necessary. The judges observed that they were not interfering in the manner in which the inquest is conducted and directed adequate facilities and protection be ensured for the JM.
The judges said though there was resentment from the family members in receiving the bodies, they received them and performed the funeral in a peaceful manner after the JM assured that justice would be rendered. The judges appealed to the public also to have the same faith in the judiciary and not to issue any statements in the social media as it would incite problems. The judges further observed that Tuticorin principal district and sessions judge is also closely monitoring the case and briefing this court about the progress. The judges directed the Kovilpatti DSP to continue the investigation in this case until further orders.
Tuticorin SP Arun Balagopalan submitted a status report before the court and informed that normalcy was returning at Sathankulam. Additional AG K Chellapandian informed the court that the postmortem was completed and the report would be sent to the court in a sealed cover soon. The case was adjourned to June 30 for further hearing
