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Court sentences 9 police personnel to death in Sathankulam custodial deaths case
Madurai: In a landmark judgment that underscores accountability in custodial violence cases, the Madurai First Additional District Court on Monday sentenced nine police personnel to death in connection with the brutal custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix in 2020.
Presiding over the case, Judge S Muthukumar held that the crime fell under the “rarest of rare” category, warranting the maximum punishment. The court imposed a double death sentence on all nine convicts, citing the brutal and fatal assault on both victims while in police custody. Additionally, a fine of Rs 15 lakh was levied on the primary accused, Inspector Sridhar.
A Crime That Shocked the Nation
The incident dates back to June 2020 in Sathankulam, located in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district, where the father and son were allegedly subjected to severe custodial torture following their arrest for a minor violation during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Both later succumbed to their injuries, triggering nationwide outrage and demands for justice.
Court Emphasizes Deterrence
In his ruling, Judge Muthukumar stressed that the punishment must serve as a strong deterrent against future custodial crimes. He observed that life imprisonment would be inadequate given the gravity and nature of the offence.
“The judgment must reflect the conscience of society,” the court noted, adding that such acts by law enforcement officers erode public trust and demand the strictest response.
The judge further stated that it was not possible to determine individual culpability in terms of who inflicted greater harm, thereby holding all accused equally responsible for the deaths.
Systemic Concerns Highlighted
The court also expressed concern over the persistence of custodial violence despite guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India to prevent such incidents. It termed the continuation of such cases “distressing” and indicative of deeper systemic issues within law enforcement.
Government’s Stand
The Tamil Nadu government had earlier argued strongly in favor of the harshest punishment, asserting that no leniency should be shown given the severity of the crime and the need to send a clear message against abuse of power.
The verdict marks one of the most stringent judicial responses to custodial violence in India, reinforcing the principle that those entrusted with upholding the law are equally bound by it.
