Sathankulam custodial deaths: Accused cop taken to hospital

MADURAI: Suspended Sathankulam police inspector Sridhar, who is lodged in the Madurai Central Prison in connection with father-son custodial death case, was taken to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) for treatment, prison sources said.

Sridhar has been complaining of neck pain ever since he was lodged in the prison.

Prison authorities sought his treatment history, if any, to provide treatment. He did not provide any.

On Wednesdays, an orthopaedic doctor used to visit the prison. The doctor, who checked him, advised to take an x-ray.

Sridhar was taken to GRH on Thursday morning, where he consulted doctors. Prison officials would take a decision on whether to admit him to hospital or not based on doctor’s advice.

Apart from Sridhar, nine more police personnel have been arrested in connection with the custodial deaths of P Jeyaraj and J Beniks. All of them are lodged in the same prison.

Bail plea dismissed

Meanwhile, Madurai principal district and sessions judge (in-charge) M Thandavan on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of suspended police constable Murugan who was arrested in connection with the custodial deaths. The bail plea of two other policemen- Muthuraj and Thomas Francis – will to be taken up for hearing by the court on Friday.