#JusticeForJayarajAndFenix: Custodial Death of two traders in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi
A month ago, the world witnessed a disturbing incident of police brutality against America’s George Floyd. A week ago a similar incident took place in Tamil Nadu’s coastal town Thoothukudi leading to the custodial death of two traders Jayaraj and his son Fenix. #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix trends everywhere on the internet.
On 19th June 2020, the father-son duo was picked up by Sathankulam cops for questioning as they open their mobile shop and violated the rules of lockdown. This led to the manhandling of 60-year-old Jayaraj by police. Thus, prompting his 30-year-old son Fenix to intervene. They were taken to Sathankulam police station where they were brutally assaulted. RJ Suchitra from Radio Mirchi explained the details of the assault in her IGTV video. Check it out:
Fenix was declared dead by Kovilpatti General Hospital on 22nd June 2020, while Jayaraj died on 23rd June 2020.
This news has led to widespread protests and outrage throughout the city. Madaras High Court has ordered the postmortem procedure for the father-son duo to be videographed. Vellayan, the president of Tamil Nadu Traders Association (TNTA) said that the association will close all shutters for a day to express solidarity with Jayaraj and Fenix.
Many celebrities have raised their voice condemning the actions of the police. Prominent actors and politicians like director Karthik Subbaraj, actors Jayam Ravi, Khushbu Sundar and others expressed their grief and demanded justice over twitter.
Will we and can we see law taking its course and punishing the guilty without any further delay in #Jeyaraj and #Fenix case? The culprits cannot and should not get away. A family has lost their most loved ones. Justice delayed is justice denied. #JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix
— KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) June 26, 2020
#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix No one is above the law, justice must be done for this inhuman act.
— Jayam Ravi (@actor_jayamravi) June 25, 2020
What happened in Saththankulam is HORRIBLE!! Insult to Humanism… The accused officials needs to be Punished and Justice has to be given to those poor souls…. Some Humans are more dangerous than Viruses!!#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix
— karthik subbaraj (@karthiksubbaraj) June 25, 2020
