Tamil Nadu: Beaten up by cops, Chennai painter succumbs to injuries after self-immolation

A month after Tuticorin custodial death case in Chennai, ar case of police brutality has surfaced in capital city of Tamil Nadu. Protesting against police brutality in Chennai, a local painter set himself on fire after he was allegedly beaten by Puzhal police official. painter was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to injuries with 80% burns. 

Srinivasan, a painter who was living with his family in Puzhal area in Chennai could t pay rent for four months as he did t have a job and re was income due to Coronavirus-forced lockdown. painter was asked to vacate his residence by house owner repeatedly.

house owner, identified as Rajendran, who is also a member of ruling political party lodged a complaint at Puzhal Police station. Srinivasan alleged Puzhal Police inspector Sam Benson came to his house and beat him up in front of his wife and children. Dejected by this, Srinivasan self-immolated himself and sustained serious burn injuries. 

READ | Tuticorin Custodial Deaths: Madurai Court Sends 3 Police Officers To 3-day CBI Custody

Tuticorin custodial death 

Meanwhile, CBI investigation in custodial death of Jayraj and Benniks is still underway. state Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) have arrested 10 police personnel and has shifted accused to Madurai Central Prison from Tuticorin district prison due to security reasons. On July 9, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reached Madurai to take over probe into death of far-son duo in Sathankulam police station on June 19. 

READ | Tuticorin Custodial Death: 4 CBI Officials Probing Case Test Positive For Coronavirus

P Jayaraj (59) and his son Bennicks (31) - residents of Tuticorin, were picked up for questioning by Sathankulam police on June 19 for violating lockdown rules. duo were allegedly brutally beaten by police in custody and n later released in a deteriorating health condition. Reports state that after sustaining severe injuries, both victims were shifted to Kovilpatti government hospital where Benniks died on last and Jayaraj, who was diabetic, succumbed to a respiratory illness on June 21.

READ | Tuticorin Custodial Deaths: Arrested Cop Taken To Hospital Post Complain Of Poor Health

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