Jeyaraj and Bennix case: Director Hari condemns deaths; says 'regret making cop movies'

Director Hari who is kwn for his cop-centric movies like Singam and Saamy recently condemned custodial deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son Bennix. He said that he regrets making films that glorified police force. In a letter, Hari wrote that incidents of police brutality should never take place again in Tamil Nadu.

According to a media report, filmmaker Hari wrote, “ only way for that is to punish all those involved with highest sentence. violation by some in police force has brought dishour upon entire force. I am deeply saddened today for having made five films glorifying police.”

Hari’s movies like Singam and Sammy are quite popular movies. se movies were also remade in several langus. Hindi remake of Singam is titled as Singham. movie stars Ajay Devgn in lead role and helmed by Rohit Shetty. 

Actor Suriya, who played a cop in Singam franchise, described entire incident of Jeyaraj and Bennix as a result of organised crime. In a poignant statement, Suriya pointed out that cops alone are t at fault in this case. magistrate and doctors are equally responsible for custodial death. He furr added that it cant be called a negligent act because custodial deaths have put credibility of police department at stakes.

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What happened to Jeyaraj and Bennix?

60-year-old Jayaraj and his son Bennix (30) were reportedly detained by Thoothukudi police on June 22 night following an altercation over keeping Bennix's mobile phone shop open beyond permissible hours during lockdown.  argument reportedly escalated when police manhandled Jeyaraj reby prompting Bennix to intervene. duo was n taken to Sathankulam police station and was allegedly brutally assaulted by two police officers (both sub-inspectors). 

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Several eyewitnesses and bystanders privy to information stated that after having being attacked by cops duo complained of uneasiness and was rushed to a hospital, only hours after being remanded in Kovilpatti Sub-Jail. It was later reported that Bennix had died in hospital and a few hours following that his far died too. 

Following outr and widespread protests in city, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court ordered postmortem procedure to be videographed. Having reportedly suspended both police involved, court also initiated a suo-moto inquiry into case.

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DMK president and opposition leader MK Stalin has demanded Chief Minister Edapadi Palaniswami who also currently holds State Home Minister portfolio to take immediate action. Several political bigwigs such as KS Alagiri, Vaiko and GK Vasan have taken to social media and interacted with press condemning incident. 

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