Sathankulam custodial deaths: Madras HC directs CBI to file counter to bail pleas of accused cops

MADURAI: The Madras high court on Friday directed the CBI to file a counter to the bail applications filed by three suspended policemen who were arrested in connection with the Sathankulam custodial deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son J Beniks.
The court was hearing the second bail applications of head constables S Murugan, X Thomas Francis and constable Muthuraj. Justice V Bharathidasan gave the direction to the CBI and adjourned the case to September 28.
Murugan, Muthuraj and Francis filed applications in August seeking bail.When these first bail applications were taken up for hearing, the CBI informed the HC that Murugan had filed a false case against the deceased and Muthuraj had signed as witness in the complaint.
It was also informed that Francis was guarding the door to ensure that nobody came in and he also had caught hold of Beniks’ hand while he was beaten up by the policemen.
Since the court said bail could not be granted to the petitioners during this stage of investigation, the petitioners withdrew their petitions.
That apart, the court also dismissed the bail application of suspended inspector S Sridhar on September 17, taking into consideration that prima facie materials are available to prove that he had instigated his fellow policemen to assault the father-son duo.