MADURAI: The Madras high court, that took suo motu cognizance of the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his J Benicks in Tuticorin district, on Friday suggested that the Tamil Nadu government come up with ideas like counselling and yoga sessions to alleviate the stress of police personnel during Covid-19 pandemic. The court made the suggestion after the government informed it that the director general of police (DGP) had issued a circular recently setting
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[6/26, 15:50] Sekarreporter 1: 19
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Tuticorin custodial deaths: Counselling and yoga may help cops, Madras high court suggests
Kaushik Kannan | TNN | Jun 26, 2020, 15:19 IST
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MADURAI: The Madras high court, that took suo motu cognizance of the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his J Benicks in Tuticorin district, on Friday suggested that the Tamil Nadu government come up with ideas like counselling and yoga sessions to alleviate the stress of police personnel during Covid-19 pandemic.
The court made the suggestion after the government informed it that the director general of police (DGP) had issued a circular recently setting standard operating procedures (SOP) for dealing with people violating the lockdown. The court was also informed that a high-level committee would frame comprehensive guidelines shortly.
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A division bench of Justice P N Prakash and Justice B Pugalendhi gave a slew of guidelines to the Kovilpatti judicial magistrate (JM) with regard to spot inspections at the Sathankulam police station, where the father son-duo were said to have been tortured, and in Kovilpatti sub-jail, where they were lodged. The JM was also asked to collect relevant documents from the police station and the sub-jail.
However, the judges made it clear that they were not interfering with the manner in which the inquest was being conducted and left it to the discretion of the magistrate.
The judges observed that though family members had initially refused to receive the bodies, later they received the mortal remains after the JM had assured them that justice would be done. The bodies were buried in a peaceful manner.
Citing that the family members of the victims had faith in the judiciary, the judges appealed to the public not to issue any statements in the social media as they would incite problems. The judges appealed to the public, the local Bar association and political parties to provide a congenial atmosphere for the JM to conduct his inquest.
The judges also directed the Kovilpatti DSP to continue investigations into this case.
Pursuant to the earlier direction of this court, the Tuticorin superintendent of police (SP) submitted a status report before the court. The case was adjourned to June 30 for further hearing.
The court took cognizance of a report filed by Tuticorin principal district judge on the injuries suffered by a man identified as Raja Singh who was under judicial custody in Kovilpatti sub-jail. The judges directed the Tuticorin chief judicial magistrate to conduct an inquiry and send a report.
