Death of Bennix and Jayaraj

Jayarajan (died June 22nd, 2020) and his son, Emmanuel Bennix (died June 23rd, 2020) were traders from Sathankulam, Tamil Nadu. On June 19, 2020, they were arrested and taken into custody for violating lockdown rules. They were kept in jail and tortured for three days. Bennix succumbed to his injuries on June 22nd. His father Jayaraj also died the next day.[1][2][3]

The Sathankulam police picked up Jayaraj on Friday, June 19,2020 to conduct an inquiry on the heated arguments that took place on the previous day between the Tamil Nadu police and a few others.[4] Hearing this, Bennix along with his friends rushed to Sathankulam police station and questioned the assault on his father. Bennis was then taken by the police and was subjected to brutal violence.[4] However, according to the police version, both Jayarajan and Bennix violated the COVID-19 curfew in place, and "threatened to kill the policemen".[4] Then both were brought to the station around 10 pm on June 19, 2020 and P Raghuganesh, one of the sub-inspector registered first investigation report (FIR).[4] Multiple eyewitness accounts deny this police version.[4] They were booked under Section 353 (use of force to deter public servant from duty), section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), and 506(2) (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.[5]

An eyewitness claimed that Bennix was beaten so brutally that his flesh got ripped off. Other eyewitnesses claimed that Jayaraj and Fenix were bleeding from their rectum and were allegedly sodomized while in prison.[5] Family of the victim sought murder charges against the two police sub-inspectors, who were placed under suspension. The kin said they would not accept the bodies till their demand was heeded. After the government of Tamil Nadu ordered a judicial enquiry and DMK Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi made peace talks with the family members, the bodies were buried.

The post-mortem examination was carried out at the Tirunelveli Government Hospital in the presence of a magistrate.The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court directed the police to submit a report on June 26 over the death.Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami, Assured of legal Action and announced compensation of 10 lakh each and government job for one person in the family.[6] The investigation is going on.

• For demanding the proper Judicial Investigation and register murder case against the two Sub inspectors Tamil Nadu Traders Association shut down shops across the district as well as some part of the state[7].
• Political Parties like CPI(M), DMK, VCK, INC, MMK, SDPI also demand the same. Protests have been conducted in some parts of the state.
• #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix has also become a top trend on Twitter. Kollywood celebrities also joined the streak.[8]