Madurai Court Death Sentence for 9 Police in Custodial Death Case

• Madurai court awards death sentence to 9 police.
• Custodial death case of father and son shocks nation.
• Court confirms police brutality caused deaths.

In a landmark judgment, the Madurai court has sentenced nine Tamil Nadu police personnel to death in the widely discussed custodial death case of a father and son from Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district. The verdict has brought renewed focus on police accountability and human rights violations.

The case dates back to June 2020 during the nationwide lockdown when a shop owner Jayaraj and his son Beniks were arrested for allegedly keeping their mobile shop open beyond permitted hours. They were taken into custody and later shifted to judicial remand.

Within a few days, both died under suspicious circumstances, triggering widespread outrage across the country. Family members alleged that the duo had been subjected to severe physical torture while in police custody, leading to their deaths.

Following the incident, authorities registered a case against the involved police personnel, and the investigation was later handed over to the CBI. During the probe, it was revealed that the charges against the victims were baseless and that they had been brutally assaulted inside the police station.

A crucial testimony from a woman constable played a key role in the case. She stated that the victims were beaten throughout the night and pointed to bloodstains found on furniture and lathis inside the station. Investigators also found that CCTV systems were manipulated to automatically delete footage, allegedly to hide evidence.

Based on the evidence and testimonies, the court concluded that the deaths were a direct result of custodial violence. The judgment marks a strong message against abuse of power and underscores the importance of justice in cases involving law enforcement excesses.