Tuticorin custodial deaths: 9 policemen sentenced to death in landmark verdict

Madurai : In a landmark judgment that has drawn nationwide attention, a court in Madurai on Monday sentenced nine policemen to death in connection with the brutal custodial deaths of a father and son in Sathankulam. The verdict comes nearly six years after the shocking incident that had sparked outrage across India.

The victims, trader P. Jeyaraj and his son J. Benicks, had died in police custody in June 2020, allegedly due to severe custodial torture. The case, which became a symbol of police excesses, was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following directions from the Madras High Court.

According to the prosecution, Jeyaraj and Benicks, who ran a mobile phone shop, were arrested on June 19, 2020, for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown norms by keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours. However, investigations later revealed that the allegations were not substantiated.

After being taken to the Sathankulam police station, the duo was reportedly subjected to brutal torture throughout the night. They sustained severe injuries and were later admitted to a hospital in Kovilpatti. Both succumbed to their injuries on June 23, triggering widespread protests and demands for justice.

The case gained national prominence, with civil society groups, activists, and political leaders condemning the incident and calling for strict action against those responsible. Allegations also surfaced that police personnel attempted to destroy evidence by erasing CCTV footage from the station.

During the course of the investigation, several police officials, including an inspector and sub-inspectors, were arrested. One constable was later discharged from the case. The CBI filed a detailed charge sheet outlining the sequence of events and the role of each आरोपी in the custodial torture and subsequent deaths.

After an extensive trial spanning six years, the court found nine policemen guilty of murder and other serious charges. Pronouncing the sentence, the court awarded the death penalty, calling the crime “heinous” and a gross abuse of power by law enforcement authorities.

Family members of the victims expressed relief over the verdict, stating that justice had finally been delivered after a long legal battle. “This judgment restores our faith in the judicial system,” they said.

Legal experts have described the ruling as a strong message against custodial violence and police brutality. The verdict is expected to have wider implications for accountability within law enforcement agencies across the country.