A court in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district has sentenced nine policemen to death in the shocking custodial deaths of trader P Jayaraj and his son J Benicks in Thoothukudi district — a case that sparked nationwide outrage in 2020.
The convicted officers include Inspector Sridhar, Sub-Inspectors Balakrishnan and Raghu Ganesh, along with police personnel Murugan, Samadurai, Muthuraja, Chelladurai, Thomas Francis, and Veilumuthu.
The court described the incident as a serious abuse of authority and said the brutality of the crime made it one of the “rarest of rare” cases deserving the highest punishment. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Court Condemns Brutality
While announcing the verdict, the court said the details of the case were deeply disturbing. It noted that the father and son were stripped and brutally assaulted, adding that reading about the incident “shudders the heart”.
At the same time, the court clarified that the ruling should not create fear among honest police officers, stressing that many serve with integrity.
What Happened in 2020?
The incident dates back to June 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown. Jayaraj and Benicks, who ran a small mobile shop, were arrested for allegedly keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours — a claim later found to be false.
They were taken to the Sathankulam police station and later sent to judicial custody. Within a few days, both died.
Their family members alleged that the two were subjected to severe torture overnight inside the police station. Reports pointed to serious injuries, including heavy bleeding, indicating extreme physical abuse.
CBI Investigation and Key Evidence
Following public outrage, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation by the Madras High Court.
The agency arrested 10 policemen and filed murder charges against them.
A key turning point in the investigation was the testimony of a woman constable, who reportedly confirmed that both men were assaulted throughout the night. She also mentioned seeing blood stains on tables and police batons inside the station.
Investigators faced difficulties as crucial CCTV footage from the police station was not available. It was reported that the footage had been automatically deleted and not preserved.
Long Trial and Final Verdict
The trial lasted more than five years, during which over 100 witnesses were examined.
The prosecution argued that the crime was extremely brutal and violated basic human rights. It said the evidence and witness testimonies clearly showed the severity of the assault.
Taking all factors into account, the court awarded the death penalty to nine of the accused policemen, calling it a case that shook the conscience of society.
A Landmark Judgment
This verdict is being seen as a landmark decision in India’s fight against custodial violence.
The case not only exposed serious issues within the system but also highlighted the need for accountability and protection of human rights.
For many, the judgment brings a sense of justice after years of struggle by the victims’ family and widespread public demand for action.
This article is based on court proceedings and verified reports. Further legal developments, including appeals, may follow.
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