Jeyaraj-Beniks Case: How Lockdown Violations Turned to Custodial Deaths

At a time when George Floyd's death in the US has triggered a global outcry against police brutalities, India reported what is possibly one of the worst incidents of police brutality in the lockdown from the state of Tamil Nadu.

In a twisted case, two ordinary people Jeyaraj and his son Beniks from Thoothukudi district who owned a mobile store were allegedly tortured and killed in police custody over a minor violation: keeping their mobile store open 15 minutes beyond the lockdown curfew timings in the state.

After spending three days in lockup, Beniks died at the Kovilpatti Government Hospital from severe chest pain, and within hours of his death Jeyaraj breathed his last too at the same hospital. But between the allegations and the police's FIR, there are a lot of conflicting details and unanswered questions.

What do we know about the events that led to the twin deaths in police custody? Why is it raising human rights concerns and protests against police's high handedness in the country? Tune in to The Big Story!

Reference: UNITED NGO CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE

TNM investigation: Sathankulam cops have a history of custodial violence

Producer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha Guests: Sanjoy Hazarika, International Director of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Reporting: Smitha TK, Senior Correspondent, Chennai

Editor: Shelly Walia

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

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