Chennai: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday formally took over the probe in the sexual torture and custodial deaths of P Jayaraj (60) and his son J Bennix (31) at Sathankulam here from Tamil Nadu Crime Branch CID (CB-CID).
Police sources said an eight-member special team from CBI Special Crime Unit-II, New Delhi arrived here by evening.
The CBI team held discussions with the CB-CID officials about the case. Later, the investigation officer, handed over all the documents and evidence materials pertaining to the case to the CBI team. This includes the Sathankulam police station registers, Kovilpatti sub-jail records, statements of family members of the victims, witnesses etc.
The CBI was expected to move an application in the court seeking custodial remand of the arrested police personnel soon. Tamil Nadu Government on June 29 transferred the custodial deaths case to the CBI.
On June 19, Jayaraj and Bennicks were picked up for questioning by Sathankulam police for allegedly violating lockdown rules by keeping their mobile accessories shop open beyond permissible hours. An FIR was filed against them, the same day. They were allegedly sexually tortured by the police while in custody, leading to their deaths. While Bennicks fell ill and died at the Kovilpatti government hospital on June 22 night, his father Jayaraj died on the morning of June 23.
