Chennai: Requesting a fair and thorough investigation into the custodial torture of Piyush Manush, family members of the environmentalist along with supporters on Monday submitted a letter to ADGP, Prisons.
They demanded suspension of superintendent of Salem Central Prison Senthil Kumar and chief warder Thirunavakarasu. Speaking to mediapersons, Monika Sethia, wife of Piyush, said the enquiry conducted by DIG Prisons, Vellore, was superficial. “Many of the jail authorities were not questioned; the enquiry was completed in just two hours after interacting with Senthil Kumar and Thirunavakarasu. Piyush was not called for the enquiry,” she added.
CCTV cameras in Salem Central Prison and the video recorded by a person (in civilian dress) during block inspection are the proofs, said Monika. In the letter submitted to the ADGP, a copy of which was obtained by Deccan Chronicle, Piyush said, “I need to know on whose behest Senthil Kumar had inflicted torture on me. Please take action for keeping me in solitary confinement without judicial permission in High Security Block in cell No. 18 and cell No. 3.”
Stating that investigation would not be just without suspension of the duo, the members urged the ADGP, Prisons to appoint a fair-minded officer of DIG rank (or above) to know the true motivation behind the violence.
“Piyush was treated as a terrorist. There are records of such cases against Senthil Kumar,” said activist Ananthoo of Safe Food Alliance. Explaining the violence, Urvashi Lunia, Piyush’s sister, said the activist was denied reading material and clothes.
“He wore the same clothes for four days. The authorities constantly threatened him by showing a sign of pistol through their hands,” she said. The hashtag #IstandWithPiyush is trending on Twitter and is re-tweeted by eminent environmentalists who condemned the violence on Piyush.
