Sathankulam custodial deaths: Madras high court reserves orders in accused cop's bail plea

MADURAI: The Madras high court on Tuesday reserved orders in the

bail plea

of suspended

Sathankulam

police inspector

S Sridhar

who was arrested in connection with the

custodial deaths

of P Jeyaraj and his son J Beniks.

Sridhar is among 10 policemen who were arrested in connection with the custodial deaths of the father-son duo.

Sridhar's earlier bail application was dismissed by the Madurai principal sessions court on August 13.

Pursuant to the earlier direction, the CBI filed a counter before the high court on Tuesday.

Special public prosecutor for CBI cases submitted that a false case was registered against the father-son duo and they were tortured by the cops at the Sathankulam police station in the presence of Sridhar. He also submitted that based on the instigation of Sridhar, the duo were tortured. He submitted that though the CBI had examined 45 witnesses and the investigation was still under way.

Jeyaraj's wife Selvarani filed an intervening petition in the case. Selvarani's counsel objected to the grant of bail stating that since the petitioner is a police official, there is a possibility of tampering with investigations.

Taking the submissions into account, Justice V Bharathidasan reserved orders and sought the CBI to produce case diary files before the court in a sealed cover.