Chennai, March 25 The ruling DMK on Wednesday criticized the AIADMK, demanding to know whether former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami would issue a public apology following the conviction of nine police officers in the Sathankulam custodial deaths case.
In its party organ, 'Murasoli', the DMK stated that the recent court verdict concerning the 2020 custodial deaths of a father and son in Tuticorin district, "exposes the brutal administration" of Palaniswami, who held the Home portfolio at that time.
Murasoli highlighted the contrast between the court findings of overnight police torture of Jeyaraj and Fenix and Palaniswami's initial statements.
It labeled Palaniswami a "liar" for his initial handling of the case and accused him of "trying to protect" the perpetrators.
"What statement did Palaniswami issue? He tried to cover up the murder of Jayaraj and Fenix," it alleged.
The DMK mouthpiece further claimed that it was due to relentless pressure from party president M K Stalin, who was the then Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, that the case was handed over to the CBI.
"Only after that did Palaniswami reluctantly agree to hand over the case to the central agency. That is why the truth has come to light," it added and asked, "Will Palaniswami now issue an apology?"
A court in Madurai had on March 23 found all nine accused police officers in the case guilty of the custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Fenix in Tuticorin district.
The First Additional District and Sessions Judge G Muthukumaran declared that the prosecution has proved its case and held the police officers guilty.
The sentencing of the convicted police officers will be announced on March 30.