Chennai: Special Sub Inspector Paul Durai (56), who is one of the ten accused policemen in the custodial torture and death of trader Jeyaraj and his son Bennicks, died due to the novel Coronavirus disease in the wee hours of today.
He passed away at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai at 2.30 am. Paul was arrested on 5 July for his involvement in the Sathankulam custodial torture cases of Jeyaraj and Bennicks in June.
It is reported that Paul contracted the virus and later tested positive during his confinement in Madurai Central Prison on 24 June. He was subsequently shifted to GRH for treatment.
His wife Mangayarthilagam alleges negligence for his death as she had been requesting to shift him to a private hospital as his condition was not improving and he was critical.
Reports said she wanted to get him admitted to a private hospital in her native, Kanyakumari. She had submitted a petition to City Police Commissioner, Madurai, Prem Anand Sinha on 8 August for permission. However, she was asked to petition in court.
Paul was among the ten policemen who were arrested, including Inspector Sridhar and Sub Inspectors Raghu and Balakrishnan.
According to Mangayarthilagam, her husband was innocent and did not commit any crime in the case and his name was deliberately added.
She had said he was posted at Sathankulam Station just for a week from Thattarmadam, a nearby place. Paul had comorbidities, he was diabetic and died due to cardiac arrest.
Two other accused policemen, Murugan and Muthuraj, who were sharing a cell with Paul have also been tested positive for Covid-19 and are undergoing treatment.
In June, Jeyaraj and Bennicks were taken into custody by the Sathankulam police. The reason being, Jeyaraj who owned a shop had kept it open beyond the curfew. The duo were beaten in police custody and they subsequently died in hospital. CBI is currently investigating the case.