Shocking Verdict: Nine Tamil Nadu Policemen Sentenced to Death in Custodial Deaths Case

Major Ruling in Custodial Deaths Case

Madurai: In a landmark decision regarding the 2020 Sathankulam custodial deaths, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has handed down death sentences to nine police officers from Tamil Nadu after finding them guilty of murder and associated offenses.

The court characterized the crime as one of the 'rarest of rare' cases, highlighting the severe brutality and misuse of authority involved. This ruling followed a lengthy six-year trial, during which all nine defendants were convicted by the First Additional District and Sessions Judge.

This case revolves around the tragic deaths of businessman P. Jayaraj and his son J. Bennicks in Thoothukudi district. They were arrested on June 19, 2020, for allegedly breaching COVID-19 lockdown regulations by operating their mobile accessories store beyond the allowed hours.

Investigations revealed that both individuals endured prolonged physical abuse while in custody, resulting in blunt force injuries and significant blood loss that ultimately caused their deaths.

The incident ignited widespread public outrage, leading to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. The CBI informed the court that the assault was premeditated and requested the harshest penalties, which the court granted.

Among those convicted are Inspector Sridhar, Sub-Inspectors Balakrishnan and Raghu Ganesh, along with officers Murugan, Samadurai, Muthuraja, Chelladurai, Thomas Francis, and Veilumuthu. A tenth defendant, Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai, passed away from COVID-19 during the trial.

The court emphasized that the case involved severe custodial violence, justifying the death penalty and sending a powerful message regarding accountability in such offenses.

Reports indicate that over 100 witnesses were called to testify throughout the trial, which lasted more than five years.