Custodial torture of shopkeepers in Thoothukudi, TN

Write a letter to the authorities demanding justice for Jayaraj and Bennix Emmanuel.

Content:

Make changes in the body of the mail to avoid the mail ending up in the spam folder.

Subject: Justice for Sattankulam shopkeepers Jayaraj and Bennix Emmanuel. [MODIFY THE SUBJECT A LITTLE SO THAT YOUR EMAIL ISN’T CONSIDERED SPAM.]

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a resident of [CITY, STATE]. [ADD A SENTENCE OR TWO ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHY THIS CONCERNS YOU TO MAKE YOUR EMAIL SOUND GENUINE AND NOT COUNT AS SPAM.]

I am emailing today to demand accountability for the custodial torture and subsequent deaths of Jayaraj and Bennix Emmanuel by officers in Sattankulam station under the Section 10-19 of Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Act, 2013.

I am aware that the state government has issued the suspension of the suspected officers and I understand that an investigation has been opened after which a trial shall ensue. However, the statistics of custodial deaths suggest that about 1731 people have died in custody in just one year, which means that systemic reforms are the need of the hour in order to tackle police brutality, as this is not an isolated incident.

The officers involved must face consequences for their actions in order to deter law enforcement from the gross misuse of power in the future. The officers involved must be charged for the brutal assault of the two men and the sexual misconduct committed against Bennix in custody.

I demand the establishment of Police Complaints Authority in every state with reference to the Supreme Court judgement of 2006 that states that Police Complaints Authority were to be established at the state and district levels in order to handle custodial torture and improper investigations.

I call upon the mandatory installation of CCTV surveillance in every police unit across the country so as to make sure that no act of misdemeanor, torture, manhandling, assault and other acts of violence is carried out by the police authorities in the state.

India remains to be one of the few countries that still has not ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and I urge the state to ratify it for it is extremely imperative in order to address the issues of brutality we are facing throughout the country.

In addition, it is essential for the state to invest in Training Programmes for everyone in the force to sensitise them in regards to police brutality. Briefing sessions educating them on what they, as police officers, are permitted to do according to law, without the use of any extra-judicial means of policing, are absolutely essential.

As a community, we urge you to initiate better implementation programs of already well-drafted laws.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]