In a landmark judgment that has reignited the debate on custodial violence in India, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai has sentenced nine police personnel to death for the brutal custodial murder of a father-son duo in the 2020 Sathankulam case.
Pronouncing the sentence on April 6, Judge G. Muthukumaran described the case as a “rarest of rare” instance, observing that the very officers entrusted with upholding the law had instead acted with extreme brutality, leading to the deaths of two innocent individuals.
Brutal custodial violence led to deaths
The case dates back to June 2020, when P. Jayaraj (58) and his son J. Bennix (31) were picked up by police in Tamil Nadu’s Sathankulam for allegedly keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
They were taken to the police station on June 19 and subjected to severe custodial torture, as later established by investigations. Bennix succumbed to injuries on June 22, followed by Jayaraj on June 23, triggering nationwide outrage.
Postmortem findings and medical reports revealed multiple unnatural injuries, confirming sustained and repeated assault while in custody.
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Court finds police guilty of murder and cover-up
On March 23, the Madurai court had convicted all nine accused police personnel under serious charges including murder, wrongful confinement, fabrication of evidence, and filing false cases under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The court noted that Inspector S. Sridhar had played a key role in instigating the assault, while other officers actively participated in both the violence and subsequent attempts to cover it up.
Rejecting arguments that the injuries were self-inflicted or due to prior health conditions, the court concluded that the deaths were directly caused by repeated custodial assault.
“Law protectors became law violators”
While awarding the death penalty, the court made strong observations on police accountability, stating that if ordinary citizens had committed such an act, a standard punishment might have sufficed—but the gravity increases when law enforcement officers themselves commit such crimes.
The judgment emphasised that the victims had no prior criminal record and were subjected to disproportionate and unlawful violence.
CBI investigation and key evidence
The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure a fair probe. The agency relied on forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and medical reports to build its case.
Investigators found bloodstains within the police station, corroborating claims of custodial torture. Testimonies from witnesses and officials further strengthened the prosecution’s case against the accused.
One of the accused, Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai, died during the trial after contracting COVID-19.
Compensation and sentencing proceedings
In addition to the death penalty, the court directed the convicted officers to pay a total compensation of ₹1.40 crore to the victims’ family.
Before pronouncing the sentence, the court had sought reports on the financial status of the accused and examined aggravating and mitigating circumstances. While the CBI pushed for the maximum punishment, the defence sought leniency, which was ultimately rejected.
A defining moment for police accountability
The Sathankulam case had sparked nationwide protests and outrage, becoming a symbol of the dangers of custodial violence and misuse of power.
With the sentencing now delivered, the judgment marks a significant moment in India’s criminal justice system, reinforcing the principle that no individual, including law enforcement officials, is above the law.
The case is now expected to proceed to appellate stages, where higher courts will review the conviction and sentence.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
